Case study: Fuel-free portable power

As part of his third year Renewable Energy Degree Project with the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) in Cornwall, Jonah Kinross designed a modular, portable, renewable energy generator and storage device for off grid power. Developed initially from his idea for a silent source of ‘clean power’ for art installations in remote locations in Cornwall, the weather-resistant system integrated a wind turbine with solar panels and power storage. 

How RKT helped

With support from the University of Exeter Proof of concept Fund, Jonah built a working prototype.  Following his graduation from the University of Exeter’s CSM, he founded his own company, Kraft Maus Ltd, based in Penryn, near Falmouth.

The University of Exeter Gatsby Project put Jonah in touch with a business mentor, Dr Mark Scibor-Rylksi, who helped secure additional funding.  Further financial support came from a local Cornish electronics firm.  Kraft Maus now supplies and distributes a range of integrated solar/wind power generators (160W to 3kVa), providing essential eco-power as a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuel generators.  Their systems are designed primarily with disaster relief situations in mind; following an earthquake or conflict, where people are left homeless and infrastructure is destroyed, one of the things people are most often lacking is power.

According to Director, Colin Sworder, Kraft Maus is both a renewable energy systems integrator and distributor of key components (such as photovoltaic panels and inverters) to renewable energy installers.  “In this position, we are the friend of technology developers and manufacturers as we can give them access to markets which are otherwise out of reach.  For installers, we liberate them from the complexities and time-consuming tasks of developing and managing a supply chain and logistics”. 

Kraft Maus markets are Aid Agencies, the Military, rural communities and businesses, and the agricultural sector.  Primary applications for these portable electricity supply systems include lighting, battery recharging, blood refrigeration, air compression, vaccine freezing, power tools, water filtration and pumping, and communications, but almost anything can be plugged-in.

The 1kVa system has been showcased at festivals such as the Royal Cornwall Show where it powered a laptop and projector for PowerPoint presentations, and at Newquay’s surf, skate & music Rip Curl Boardmasters event.  A demonstration day was held in early March, and was attended by a senior officer from the MoD, an editor of Farmers’ Weekly, and managers from the Mendip Hills management team, among others.