Graduate reaches the finals of a global competition with a cleantech invention

The ominous red bar glows on the screen as your battery drains down to its last 1%. Your phone is moments away from shutting down but you’re nowhere near a charging point. Does this sound painfully familiar?

We are becoming increasingly reliant on our electronic devices getting us through our day-to-day activities. Many of the devices need regular charging but for Harris Angeli, many standard charging options just aren’t up to scratch.

He saw an opportunity for an alternative solution – the Wind-E Portable Turbine.

Wind-E is a light-weight, water-resistant, portable Wind Turbine that can be easily folded and fitted into any kind of backpack, offering unlimited energy to charge essential devices wherever you are. As the air rotates Wind-E’s generator, energy is produced and stored in an internal battery. Users then simply plug-in their devices for direct charging.

When he created Wind-E, Harris was already studying Mechanical Engineering with Renewables at Dundee. Here, he developed this product as part of his thesis project, testing the various designs through simulations. It was the thrill of finding alternative solutions which initially led him to pursue a future in engineering.

“I have always been intrigued about creating my own stuff including mechanical and electrical parts from a young age. Mechanical engineers are the elemental practitioners who develop a modern and more convenient world for all of us comprised of the tiniest nanotechnology to cars and buildings, aeroplanes and space stations.”

This knack for problem-solving was matched by his deep appreciation for the natural environment. “I always had a special connection with nature, often spending my time outdoors, camping, hiking the mountains or scuba diving. I felt a personal obligation to contribute towards the protection of our common habitat by developing and implementing cleantech products and services in reducing carbon emissions.  We just need to properly understand the current issues of pollution and global warming as everything we need to reduce our carbon footprint is out there already”.

Harris’ Wind-E product burst onto the cleantech stage when he decided to enter it into the ClimateLaunchpad contest, the world’s largest green business ideas competition. It's objective: unlock the world’s cleantech potential to address climate change. The competition works as an incubating space by offering training, coaching, and support for promising projects & start-ups to take a business leap.

“When I found about the ClimateLaunchpad competition I instantly applied as it was a great opportunity to develop my idea into a business model. After five months of developing the product, and competing against start-ups from around the world, I made it to Global Finals in Pakistan. It was an honour to make it to this stage, particularly to represent my country of Cyprus in such a prestigious competition”.