Bright idea to beat rural power problems
We have a tartan tinge to Hinterland this week. I heard an article on radio 4 about a similar scheme on Eig last week and this story makes me even more sure that communities in rural England have something to gain from this technology. It tells us:
People on the Knoydart peninsula use a hydro-electric plant for their energy because they are not connected to the National Grid
And because of their reliance on the locally supplied electricity they have to keep a close eye on their usage.
Now experts at Edinburgh University have come up with a way of checking when energy levels are getting dangerously low.
Similar schemes have been adopted in places such as Papua New Guinea and India but it is believed to be the first time one has been introduced in the UK.
The Phillips wi-fi bulb is installed in the window of the community information centre in Inverie and has a direct link to data from the hydro-electric plant.
Green indicates a high amount of energy is available, while dwindling stocks are shown by an orange hue and red indicates danger level.
Dr Jamie Cross, senior lecturer in social anthropology and development at the university, said: “There was an interest in how you better engage the public, the community and visitors in the challenges of providing energy.