Company Overview
In 2007, in Orange County, California, Bob Winkelman was working with Good Earth Energy Conservation, Inc. (GEEC), a startup company now located in Fort Worth, TX, testing a new tricycle powered by electricity. During this testing, Bob was able to prove his long held theory that a quality charge on a battery would increase the efficiency of the battery. Bob, experienced battery manufacturer and marketing manager, was encouraged to pursue this technology by two associates already involved with GEEC.
Of the many possible applications of this technology, the one that was most appealing involved electricity storage for small scale wind turbines in island communities with a consistent source of wind energy. Based on the potential of this market, the business associates formed a new Arkansas based company on September 16, 2008 and named it Little Green Windmill, Inc. (LGWI).
The early LGWI concept involved a battery-based energy storage device that would not only utilize electricity from the power grid more effectively but could also integrate other small scale power sources such as a small high-efficiency windmill, a solar array, and a bicycle-like manual generator. This battery storage device is the LGWI Energy Management System.
A patent was filed on the technology in April 2009. During this time, an important connection was made with the University of Arkansas and the National Center for Reliable Electronic Power Transmission (NCREPT). NCREPT is a state-of-the-art test facility established to develop advanced power electronics systems for solid-state protection and energy storage devices for applications in the power grid. That vital connection provided much needed electrical engineering experience, facilities and test equipment to the start-up company.
Since its formation, LGWI has started and completed multiple installations of its Energy Management System in a variety of applications including residences, commercial buildings and manufacturing plants. In addition, LGWI is developing a high efficiency battery charger for the transportation industry that will become an integral element of the Energy Management System as well as an additional product line.
Of the many possible applications of this technology, the one that was most appealing involved electricity storage for small scale wind turbines in island communities with a consistent source of wind energy. Based on the potential of this market, the business associates formed a new Arkansas based company on September 16, 2008 and named it Little Green Windmill, Inc. (LGWI).
The early LGWI concept involved a battery-based energy storage device that would not only utilize electricity from the power grid more effectively but could also integrate other small scale power sources such as a small high-efficiency windmill, a solar array, and a bicycle-like manual generator. This battery storage device is the LGWI Energy Management System.
A patent was filed on the technology in April 2009. During this time, an important connection was made with the University of Arkansas and the National Center for Reliable Electronic Power Transmission (NCREPT). NCREPT is a state-of-the-art test facility established to develop advanced power electronics systems for solid-state protection and energy storage devices for applications in the power grid. That vital connection provided much needed electrical engineering experience, facilities and test equipment to the start-up company.
Since its formation, LGWI has started and completed multiple installations of its Energy Management System in a variety of applications including residences, commercial buildings and manufacturing plants. In addition, LGWI is developing a high efficiency battery charger for the transportation industry that will become an integral element of the Energy Management System as well as an additional product line.