Crossflow Energy is a “small wind” turbine producer building a sustainable future by replacing fossil fuel generation with clean energy to meet the global demand for greener digital connectivity. The elimination of diesel generators and grid requirements makes Crossflow Energy’s Smart Tower capable of considerable CO2 savings, according to Nick Primavesi, Head of Strategy, Crossflow Energy. This helps operators and tower companies achieve their carbon reduction targets while decreasing maintenance.
“Telecommunications is a growing sector, and one that has to learn to cope with the climate crisis,” Primavesi told Inside Towers. “Currently, communications networks contribute 1.4 percent of global emissions and is facing growing pressures to become sustainable.”
Crossflow’s patented Smart Tower is strong enough to carry a wind turbine plus three carriers. It integrates its Smart Turbine with conventional solar and battery technologies to create a 24/7, self-powered communication mast. Specifically designed to provide reliable and affordable clean energy for the wireless sector, Smart Towers facilitate 4G/5G connectivity in off-grid rural “not spots.”
“Our turbines were developed for remote, new-build cell towers where it is important to reduce or eliminate diesel emissions or a grid connection that is either poor or not available,” Primavesi said.
Crossflow Energy’s Smart Turbines offer a new generation of scalable transverse axis wind turbines. Advanced light weight blade design optimizes aerodynamics to harvest maximum wind energy. Designed for simple on-site assembly and minimal operational intervention, the turbines rotate toward the direction of the wind to maximize wind flowthrough, making them ideal for localized power generation and remote deployment.
“Our patented shield increases airflow through the turbine, which enhances efficiency and power output. This ensures reliable operation over a high range of wind speeds,” Primavesi said.
The turbine features low-rotational speed, which reduces noise and fatigue on the blades. Low wear means long maintenance and inspection intervals, which is important for remote sites and to minimize OPEX.
Bird and bat friendly, the turbine is designed to be well balanced with low vibrations. The tower can withstand winds of up to 95 MPH or a category 1 hurricane. There is also an optional version that has the capability of using an electric winch, so the turbine can be lowered in advance of a hurricane or other high winds.
“Our product is different from other wind turbines in that it rotates at low speeds but with a patented feature that gives it similar efficiencies to conventional turbines,” Primavesi said. “Low noise gives better acceptance in sensitive areas, and low vibration means it can be mounted on the carrier tower, saving space.”
The Smart Turbine has a patented Rotor Shield with the solar photovoltaic coating, which maximizes renewable energy generation through both wind and solar energy capture. It also reduces or removes the requirement for ground mounted solar arrays, which lowers the needed site footprint.
In 2019, Crossflow Energy installed a pre-production prototype as part of the SMART Turbine and SMART Modular system development at a test site in Port Talbot, Wales, to confirm energy capture and operational performance. In 2020, a Smart Modular power system unit began a test at the test site in Wales. The first commercial self-powering tower in Pembrokeshire, Wales, was switched on in 2022 in collaboration with Vodafone and Cornerstone.
Vodafone’s self-powering mast installation
Until now, the use of “small wind” turbines to eliminate greenhouse gasses has been limited because of issues with performance, reliability, and planning concerns, such as noise, vibration, and damage to ecology, explains Primavesi. “The unique design of our wind turbine addresses all these challenges head on. We believe that one day its use could be as widespread and commonplace as solar panels,” Primavesi said.
For more information, contact Crossflow Energy: https://crossflowenergy.co.uk/contact-us/.
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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