Voltree Power Successfully Demonstrates
the First Wireless Sensor Network Powered by Trees
US Forest Service Trials Energy Harvesting and Remote
Wireless Sensor Networks for Fire Prediction and Detection in Forests
June 26, 2009 — Boston, Massachusetts — Voltree Power announced
the successful trial demonstration of its innovative climate sensor
network, one that can be powered by energy harvested from living trees.
The three-day test and system installation not only proved Voltree’s
technology but also demonstrated the successful integration with already
existing “Remote
Automated Weather Stations” network, transmitting air temperature,
humidity, and diagnostic data utilizing the preexisting satellite infrastructure.
Using low-power radio transceivers, sensors, and its patented bioenergy-harvesting
technology, Voltree has provided a new, efficient, and green means
for fire prediction and detection. Developed under the oversight and guidance
of the United States Forest Service as well as the Bureau of Land Management,
the system employs sensors for air temperature, relative humidity,
voltage and is capable of generating alerts in the event of a fire. In
such cases, Voltree’s wireless mesh network transmits data signals
from one unit to another until they reach a Vaisala-built central monitoring
station. These stations subsequently provide a satellite microwave uplink
connection that allows the collected information to be shared with numerous
government agencies and many other users worldwide.
“The Voltree solution for remote forest monitoring provides a
reliable and cost-effective method of collecting microclimate, ‘under-the-forest-canopy’ weather
data that will serve as a valuable tool for weather and climate modeling
as well as climate change research. This predictive approach will enable
strategic resource allocation and prioritization. Hence by better pre-positioning
resources the government land agencies can maximize public and firefighter
safety as well as reduce losses and lower costs,” added Stella Karavas,
CEO of Voltree Power.
About Voltree
Voltree Power is leading the way in the practical integration of three
distinct technologies: energy harvesting, low-power radios, and wireless
mesh networks. Such integration offers solutions for numerous remote-sensing
that include agricultural/live fuel sensing, waterway/reservoir monitoring,
drought monitoring as well as border motion, radiation and illegal
substance surveillance.
Voltree’s patented “Bioenergy Harvester” converts
metabolic plant energy into usable electricity. The “Voltree Power
Module” is a pioneering alternative to the battery that eliminates
the impracticality of battery replacement in extensive mesh networks.
Voltree Power offices and manufacturing facility are based in Canton
Massachusetts U.S.A.
www.voltreepower.com
Voltree Power LLC
P.O. Box 477, Canton, MA 02021-3199 USA
T: +1.781.828.8733 F: +1.781.821.2111
Public Relations Contact:
Mark Shapiro
PR for Voltree
mshapiro@srs-techpr.com
619 249 7742
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