Jim Thomson from Kalgoorlie-based Outback Energy Supply has received the "People's Choice" award for 2010 for the invention "Outback Power Pack" on the Grand Final episode of the ABC New Inventors program.
The Outback Power Pack is the first solar and wind power system that is available to be installed on-site with any combination of solar, wind, and diesel, delivered and ready to connect to within a few hours.
The innovative wind turbine and solar panel mounting remove the need for expensive excavations, concrete and crane usage, and offers substantial financial savings and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over previous solutions.
The WA Sustainable Energy Association (WA SEA) congratulated Mr Thomson on his award.
Modularisation of renewable energy is critically important as it will reduce installation costs across rural and regional Australia and allow farmers, small remote communities and mine camps, and remote installations to be largely self sufficient on energy from renewable sources,"Prof Ray Wills, chief executive of WA SEA, said.
"The technology is also relevant to the growing energy needs of many third world nations - allow energy growth with out additional greenhouse gas emissions, especially Africa, northern India and western China."
