UHI North, West and Hebrides turns a generator failure into a solar-powered success

During summer fieldwork at Dunnet Head, PhD researcher, Amy Jones, was using a marine radar to monitor seabird activity when an unexpected generator failure prompted the team to find an alternative way of powering the equipment.

The successful approach demonstrates how renewable energy can support power-intensive scientific research in remote locations, while reducing reliance on fuel-powered generators and the environmental impact of fieldwork.

Portable solar panels were deployed beside the fieldwork van and used to supply power to the radar computer, display screens and data-acquisition unit housed inside the vehicle, while supporting the radar base station and antenna nearby. This allowed the research to continue while substantially reducing reliance on a fuel-powered generator.

The solution proved particularly well suited to this type of fieldwork. Radar surveys require relatively calm and dry conditions to protect the equipment and obtain high-quality data, and these conditions also tend to provide good opportunities for solar-energy generation. The panels could be positioned beside the van and adjusted to make the most of the available sunlight throughout each survey period.

Large radar systems used in similar fieldwork are typically powered by mains electricity, generators or vehicle batteries. While the use of renewable energy to power radar has become increasingly common in recent years, this may be one of the first times renewable energy has been used to power radar fieldwork at the university.

By adapting their setup, the team were able to reduce fuel use, generator emissions and noise at the field site while continuing to collect important data on seabird activity.

“What began as a practical response to equipment failure became a valuable demonstration of how renewable energy can support our research in remote locations. We were able to continue collecting important and energy-intensive radar data while reducing our reliance on a fuel-powered generator, which is a really positive outcome from an unexpected situation. It also aligns with our longer-term goal of making research more sustainable.”

Special thanks to Louis Goldman for use of his support vehicle and portable solar panels, and to The Snowdon Trust for funding this invaluable field support.