Turtle Defib Cabinets, a pioneering company in the design and manufacture of defibrillator and bleed control cabinets as well as medical equipment, has introduced the UK's first cabinet powered by both solar and wind energy.
This new product sets a higher standard for lifesaving equipment in locations where electricity supply is limited or expensive to install, such as farms, construction sites, nature reserves, golf courses, and public parks. Defib cabinets need to maintain a temperature above 0 degrees Celsius, with a recommendation to keep them above 10 degrees Celsius.
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While solar-powered cabinets are already on the market, Turtle’s innovative design overcomes common issues with existing models. The optimal placement and angle of the solar panel ensure a continuous power supply, guaranteeing the defibrillator is always operational. Turtle’s cabinets combine solar and wind power, providing a reliable solution for shaded or windy areas, and offer a remote monitoring option.
Turtle collaborated with The University of Warwick to conduct feasibility studies, which enabled the development of a cabinet that effectively captures both solar and wind energy. This two-year research and development project was supported by Medilink UK.
Mike Dowson, founder and managing director of Turtle Defib Cabinets, stated: “We not only identified that there was a gap in the market for a wind powered defib cabinet, but also that the solar products that were available are not designed in the most optimal way to harness solar energy.”
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Defibrillator equipment operates on battery power, but maintaining the correct temperature in outdoor cabinets is crucial to preserve battery life and equipment efficacy. Typically, cabinets are connected to an electrical source, but in remote or cost-prohibitive areas, solar power is used. However, this method has limitations, particularly in the UK's low winter sunlight and the vertical placement of panels.
Mike added: “Our design angles the solar panel in a way that maximises power from the sun’s rays, but also comprises a wind turbine to ensure the cabinet works when the UK weather is at its worst.
“We also offer a remote monitoring option which provides a daily cabinet status, such as updates on environmental conditions, charge status, when the cabinet has been accessed or if there are any faults.”
Cabinet interior
He mentions: “The unit is compatible with every type of public access defibrillator on the market so if a wi-fi-enabled model is selected, peace of mind can be gained without manual cabinet checks.”
Turtle partnered with various organisations for additional research and pre-launch adoption, including Kington Golf Club in Hereford, Northamptonshire Sport, a construction company, a farmland-based rehabilitation centre in Aberdeenshire, a school, and a nature reserve. Turtle is also developing portable wind and solar-powered cabinets that can be relocated as needed.
Bleed control kits, while not requiring specific temperatures, are often included in these cabinets. Turtle engineered the first publicly accessible cabinet for these kits, collaborating with the Daniel Baird Foundation, West Midlands Ambulance Service, and The National Trauma Network.
For more information about Turtle’s defib cabinets, bleed control cabinets, and the equipment they offer, visit www.turtledefibcabinets.co.uk
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