An ancient invention that could solve remote community energy concerns
EXCLUSIVE
A WA-based Indigenous energy company could have the answer to supplying unlimited power to rural and remote communities – thanks to mathematician Archimedes.
The Greek physicist and inventor, who lived over 200 years before Christ is best known for his discovery of the relation between the surface and volume of a sphere – and his invention of the Archimedes screw for raising water.
It is that principle that Indigenous couple Marilee Liddell and her partner Rob Craig are using with their Archimedes wind turbines.
Their company Laawun Energy has acquired the exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute the turbines across Australia and New Zealand.
The unique spiral design uses the principal to capture wind instead of water and transforms it into energy.
So much in fact that one turbine can power up to four homes.
Marilee, who has a background in Aboriginal employment and training in WA , and her partner Rob, who is the ‘electrical’ brains of the company, have spent over two years researching and eventually signing agreements with South Korean-based Respect Co to set up the enterprise.
The original design began in the Netherlands before the owners moved it South Korea, and without any government assistance the pair have negotiated their way through the minefield of red tape and regulations to the point where they are now selling the turbines across the country.
“It’s been a long process,” Marilee admitted. “Nobody in government would help, but we used our own property to demonstrate the product and it works.”
It works so well that they are now off grid and generating enough power to supply several properties if they wanted to.
“We produce over a megawatt a month of power – way more than we need,” Rob said.
“This system would work superbly in a cul-de-sac residential environment with three or four houses and it would work superbly in remote communities where energy can be so intermittent.”
Add in a battery system and you can wave goodbye to those ever increasing power bills for ever.
“When we first installed it on our property Western Power came and sat outside wondering if we were stealing from the grid,” Rob said.
“After several conversations they realised we weren’t and were simply self sufficient – with credits die from the energy companies.”
A four-bedroom property in suburbia in WA with solar panels, a turbine and battery takes nothing from the grid and produces one megawatt of energy every month.
A quiet turbine, “you can’t hear it all and it’s wind resistant to storms,” says Rob, that weighs 110 kg and sits on the roof giving the owner as much power as they need.
The company has a variety of turbine options that can be used for domestic or for business or in remote areas where power supplied are limited.
And with prices ranging from $8-10,000 for a single storey property to more elaborate business options, they are quiet, bird friendly, have a small footprint and in commercial usage eliminates the need for expensive diesel generators.
“We’re harnessing nature’s power for green energy.” Marilee said.
“It is so versatile. Domestic, for industry, agriculture, commercial properties.”
The Archimedes Windmill has undergone extensive research and trials over a number of years across Europe and in South Korea.
Marilee Liddell and her partner Rob Craig.
And it is fully patented and compliant with current Australian energy regulations.
Potentially a game changer for remote Indigenous communities where several homes could benefit from the power of the wind.
The couple plan to promote their business at the Supply Nation Connect 26 business showcase in Perth in August.
How it works
The spiral small wind turbine operates seamlessly across diverse weather conditions and environments.
Its innovative design, inspired by Archimedes’ spiral geometry, sets it apart from conventional wind turbines.
The turbine’s sleek design fits into any environment, urban or rural, without the hassle of complex installations offering a straightforward solution for your renewable energy needs.
The turbines are engineered for minimal noise, allowing use harness wind energy without disrupting the tranquillity of surroundings.
Turbines are designed with a focus on being bat and bird friendly, ensuring harmony between green energy production and biodiversity conservation.
