"The Greenwave Environmental Competition 2011", organised by Sembawang Shipyard, challenges participants to submit projects that will contribute to environmental care. One of the three projects submitted under the tertiary category by BCA Academy (BCAA) Students, Windbelt – Energy Harvesting & Applications, won a Commendation Prize.

The Windbelt team won a Commendation Prize for using the Windbelt to harvest energy from the fast moving air in front of air-con condenser to power wireless sensor network and LED lighting such as display or advertising panel. This energy is wasted today because placing a conventional wind turbine is not viable due to its size and adverse effects on the condenser and for reasons of aesthetic and safety.

The team’s submission focused on LED applications. It makes use of low tech components and allows for easy installation, maintenance and repairs; and hence is suitable for use in developing countries.

Bearing in mind their project objectives, the team worked towards finding urban alternative to a wind turbine. After numerous experiments, the team finally came out with the correct urban applications.

Congratulations to our BCAA students for their creativity and hard work and also not forgetting their mentor, Mr Francis Tay (L/SBD) for helping them with the experiments.

The team received the prize for their competition entry at the Green Wave Awards Presentation Ceremony held at the Marina Mandarin Hotel last Friday, from Guest-of-Honour MG (NS) Chan Chun Sing, Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports & Minister of State, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts.