Hiway Group has been delivering innovative ground improvement solutions throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific since 1986.
Today we are New Zealand’s largest provider of specialist solutions for pavement stabilisation, slip and slope reinforcement, soil mechanics, ground improvement and contamination remediation.
Our commitment to innovation, environmental sustainability and industry leadership has seen us introduce cutting edge technologies to the local market, and develop our own advanced methodologies and stabilising products.
With a proven track record of ensuring high quality, lasting outcomes – even in challenging conditions – our in-house design and contracting teams are considered to be industry experts.
Sustainable street lighting
Dedicated to innovative technology and ways to improve the sustainable use of natural resources, Hiway Environmental introduces the first Eolgreen hybrid street lighting system in Australasia and the Pacific.
A breakthrough in self-sufficient energy technology, the Eolgreen hybrid streetlight is a combined wind and solar lighting system that ensures entirely autonomous operation.
In other energy producing street lighting systems, power generation often stops as the solar input is not sufficient to support continuous or ongoing operation during periods of cloudy or poor weather. By relying on wind to continue operation, the hybrid can generate power with wind strength at just 1.7 metres per second. Traditionally, most other wind generation systems require at least 3 to 4 metres per second. This low speed wind generation capability is the first of its type in the world.
Surplus energy created by the streetlight is stored for ongoing consumption of the light, or pushed back into the grid. The light has many possible uses and offers possibilities in remote locations where hard-wired power connection is impractical or expensive.
Innovative Hybrid Street Lighting – collaboration with Palmerston North Council
Chris Teo-Sherrell with the recently erected solar and wind powered street light
Street light powered by wind and sun on trial in Palmerston North.
Palmerston North’s first street light powered by the wind and sun has been installed at Hokowhitu Domain near the car park and playground.
The imported Eolgreen unit, worth $25,000 installed, has been provided as a demonstration unit in a collaboration with distributors Hiway Group for the cost to the city council of its concrete foundation.
The light unit, with photovoltaic panels facing north and a turbine on top, is something of “a parting gift” from retiring city councillor Chris Teo-Sherrell.
The portfolio holder for environment and sustainability said it had taken about a year to bring the project to fruition after he heard about the Spanish-designed street lighting units.
The concept appealed not just because it was clean and green, but also because it had potential to save money.
The manufacturers’ website said the system could provide 20 per cent savings over conventional street lighting systems.
Mr Teo-Sherrell says the technology had potential to be used in public parks, on walkways, and possibly in new subdivisions to avoid the cost or practical difficulties of laying power cables.
The units were able to generate and store about four days of energy to support them through times of low wind and sunshine hours, or could be linked to extra lights.
Mr Teo-Sherrell says Hokowhitu Domain was chosen as the trial site because it was highly visible, in an area that was well used into the evenings, and poorly lit.
City council parks and property officer Ian Stuart says the opportunity to try the technology at no charge had to be a good idea.
Within a few weeks there would be data available from monitoring to see whether it was an efficient and practical option for Palmerston North.
“There is no talk of having this go city-wide, but it could serve well where it is hard to get connections to electricity supplies.”
Mr Teo-Sherrell has served three terms on the city council, and stood down at October’s local body elections.
For more information visit www.hiways.co.nz
