Solar-powered rescue ladder provides up to 20% energy savings

Result

The project achieved a 10-20% reduction in the need for grid connection, along with lower maintenance and inspection costs.

Challenge

Ensuring a solar-powered rescue ladder functions reliably 365 days a year is a significant challenge due to the highly variable sunlight conditions the ladder will encounter. In winter, horizontal surfaces receive approximately 10 times less solar radiation than in summer, and nighttime lasts four times longer. Additionally, the sun rises to a maximum of only about 10 degrees above the horizon, resulting in large shadowed areas from buildings, for example. In some harbor areas, even low buildings can prevent direct sunlight from reaching the site during the winter months.

Solution

In the innovation project ISR, several partners collaborated to develop and test a new prototype for a rescue ladder capable of operating effectively under lower light conditions. The project also enhanced the ladder by integrating a system for monitoring its status and adding a wireless communication module for long-range monitoring and interaction. Additionally, the project developed an installation guide as a mobile app. This app ensures the proper installation of rescue ladders by simulating solar radiation at the desired location and, using knowledge of the ladder’s energy consumption, helps optimize its placement.