Who built the World’s First Solar Powered Ski Lift?

Ski lifts are a niche within the vertical transportation industry.  In recent years the vertical transportation industry has explored a number of ways to increase energy efficiency in all scenarios where vertical transportation is deployed and solar power has proven to be one of the most popular methods. When it comes to solar power the local climate has a huge impact on the viability of a project as does access to financial resources. Solar-powered installations are usually considerably more expensive than conventional versions of vertical transportation.

Who built the world’s first solar powered Ski lift?

Given these considerations it is surprising that a small Swiss town called Tenna in the Safien Valley is the location of the world’s first solar powered ski lift. That’s right, the world’s first solar powered ski lift is not in Aspen, Colorado or  Val-d'Isère. It was built in 2012 is in a small Swiss town with a population of one hundred and twelve people. The Tenna ski lift project received many generous donations that literally enabled the project to get off the ground.

How does it work?

The ski lift is 450 metres in length and has around 80 solar panels directly integrated into it.  The solar panels on the ski lift have an ideal south-facing angle of 30 degrees and rotate uniaxially along with the sun, tracking it across the sky. The solar panels produce about 90,000 kWh per year. Approx. 22,000 kWh is required for the operation of the ski lift and the rest is sold to EW Tenna (local power grid). EW Tenna then sells this power to environmentally conscious parties who wish to purchase solar energy. According to estimates* the solar panels on the ski lift produce 21% more current than customary rooftop panels, because the efficiency of photovoltaic cells is the greatest when the sun shines vertically on them. The ski lift is capable of pulling 800 skiers up the mountain per hour. 

Is there a back up power supply?

Yes, if there is prolonged period of bad weather or storms the ski lift could be powered by electricity because it is also connected to a local power supply. 

Dunbar and Boardman is the lift, escalator and access equipment  consultancy. Are you currently planning a project that will involve vertical transportation?  We would be happy to discuss with you. Give us a call on T +44 (0) 20 7739 5093 or send us an email via  garyavis@dunbarboardman.com to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Image credit: bit.ly/1Tvix3e

Source: bit.ly/1QwTcHk

New Staff: Who are our new Arrivals?

We are pleased to officially welcome three new members of staff to our team. They started last month but this is the first opportunity we have had to mention them in the blog. In no particular order we extend a warm welcome to David Hodges, Julian Caudle and Brian Manning.

David Hodges - Lift Engineer

 

David joins us with over thirty- five years experience. He started as an apprentice at Otis before moving onto Lift Cran Ltd and then spending most of career as Service Director at Elite Elevators, a company that he co-founded. When Elite was sold, David moved into consultancy roles that benefited from his wealth of experience.  Outside of work he enjoys reading, mountain bike riding, (over easier terrain now) going to my gym and swimming. He also enjoys watching live football and travelling both locally within the UK and abroad. 

Julian Caudle - Lift Engineer

Julian joins us after almost thirty years working for Schindler.  Schindler holds special significance for him because his father worked for Schindler before him and so did his wife's father; in fact that is how he met her. It was the opportunity to expand his knowledge of the consultancy business, the property industry and the vertical transportation industry outside of Schindler that finally prised him away. He is now working with the Dunbar and Boardman team and is able to offer his input and expertise.

Brian Manning - Lift Engineer

Brian spent almost twenty years at Stannah Lift Services Ltd, starting as an apprentice and then working on installations, special lifts and in the service department. He left Stannah to move to Pickering Lifts Ltd where he was responsible for major regeneration projects throughout the South. He is grateful that his career gave him the opportunity to work in countries in Europe and Africa. Outside of work he was an active sportsman who participated in many sports and played rugby for many years. Travelling is one of his leisure pursuits 
too; Greece and its Islands being among his favourite destinations. He also enjoys cooking and entertaining at home.

Dunbar and Boardman welcomes you all!

Dunbar and Boardman is the lift, escalator and access equipment  consultancy. Are you currently planning a project that will involve  vertical transportation?  We would be happy to discuss with you. Give  us a call on T +44 (0) 20 7739 5093 or send us an email via  garyavis@dunbarboardman.com to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Elevators: What are Priority Controls?

In last week’s blog we discussed how the vertical transportation industry had introduced measures and technology to better prepare elevator systems in the event of an earthquake. To read about Seismic Switches for elevators click ‘here’. This week we will focus on a preventative measure available in the event of unauthorised persons gaining access to a building and attempting to gain control of its elevator systems. Fortunately this is an eventuality that has been considered by the industry and there are solutions available. One of these solutions is called Priority Controls.

What are Priority Controls?

Priority controls are one way to enhance security for elevators systems. Once priority controls have been installed operators can remotely dispatch and park all lifts away from the main building floor. Priority controls have also been referred to as ‘riot controls’.

How do Priority Controls Work?

When a remote switch or alarm control is activated by a building’s security team, the lifts will all go and park with doors open at a preset floor, away from the main building entry floor so that unauthorised persons cannot force entry into the building and use the elevators to disappear into the building.

What are the Benefits?

The primary benefit is enhanced security for the building and protection for elevator systems. Unauthorised persons will not be able to access other floors of the building subject to stairwells also being secure. Often priority controls are part of a building’s plans and are installed as one of a range of security measures to protect buildings. Priority controls have been installed in many buildings in central London and around the world.

Dunbar and Boardman is the lift, escalator and access equipment consultancy. Are you currently planning a project that will involve vertical transportation? Do you want to install priority controls? We would be happy to discuss with you. Give us a call on T +44 (0) 20 7739 5093 or send us an email via garyavis@dunbarboardman.com to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Image credit: www.apexelevatordc.com