CPB Contractors, a leading member of the CIMIC Group, has commenced an Australian-first trial of a next-generation 6KW-rated prototype vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) as part of a landmark partnership with VAWT-X Energy and Firestone Hybrid Generators.
The prototype, developed by Adelaide-based start-up VAWT-X Energy in collaboration with Flinders University and supported by private equity as well as state and federal government funding, has been installed at the Fleurieu Connections Alliance (FCA) Main South Road Duplication project’s Aldinga compound for extensive operational testing.
The three-month trial, which began on 14 February, marks a significant step in CPB Contractors’ commitment to sustainable construction practices.
Data from the initial operational phase indicates the VAWT-X prototype is performing as expected, representing a key milestone in the company’s roadmap toward developing highly efficient, advanced commercial wind turbine units.
“Innovative thinking and the trial and adoption of new, sustainable technologies is core to CPB Contractors’ business,” said Andrew Coonan, Senior Project Manager at CPB Contractors.
“The sheer size and scale of our projects provides us with the optimum environment to test prototypes like VAWT-X Energy’s vertical axis wind turbine, particularly as we turn our focus to more regionally located developments in the renewable energy space.”
“We are committed to partnering with forward-thinking people and businesses to develop solutions that allow us to leave the communities and environments where we work in a better place than when we arrived, and believe low-impact wind turbines like these, combined with our in-house mobile solar power supply units have the potential to help our project sites be self-sufficient in their supply and usage of energy — making the most of the environment, so that when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing, we capitalise on this natural resource.”
The VAWT-X Energy prototype is designed to be quieter and more adaptable to site conditions than traditional turbines, making it particularly suitable for urban and variable-wind environments.
Its compact footprint and low noise profile offer a viable renewable energy solution for locations where conventional horizontal axis wind turbines may not be practical.
Gary Andrews, Managing Director of VAWT-X Energy, highlighted the transformative potential of the technology, stating: “We see the main benefit of these VAWTs as enabling the roll-out of distributed wind energy generation, which has hitherto been locked up in wind farms dependent on large-scale developers and burdened by huge transmission costs.
“The scale of this technology, its low noise and aesthetics mean it can be brought closer to the end user and can empower the community to proactively choose wind generation as part of their energy mix.”
Throughout the trial, the prototype will supply power to FCA site buildings and recharge batteries, with the broader objective of assessing the feasibility of scaling up VAWT technology for commercial applications.
The project also enables Firestone Hybrid Generators to test integration with existing hybrid power systems, further supporting the shift toward self-sustaining, low-emission construction sites.
“With a growing pipeline of renewables projects, we see enormous potential for this technology.
“Not only can we generate clean energy while ensuring low to no impact on these regional communities, but these turbines and the energy they generate can remain beyond the project build, providing cost-efficient power for the people and businesses in these regions.
“We are proud to be working with the talented minds at VAWT-X Energy and Firestone Hybrid Generators by bridging the gap between computer simulations and real-world applications, supporting the future of local manufacturing in Australia,” added Andrew Coonan.
This initiative underscores CPB Contractors’ broader strategy to reduce fossil fuel reliance, supplement solar power, and create efficiencies through self-sustainable project sites, reinforcing South Australia’s reputation as a leader in renewable energy innovation.
