Toilets on Turbines
Dan Greeves, founder of Pegasus Welfare Solutions (PWS), secured a worldwide patent for a standalone toilet unit within an offshore turbine tower to solve what he terms an ‘elephant in the room’ issue.
“Currently there is no option available for toilet facilities on either onshore or offshore wind turbines for technicians,” he said.
The first retro-fit toilet unit costs just 50p a day for a turbine’s 20-year lifetime.
“For the price of a pint of milk a day, this is a solution that improves safety, productivity and will encourage more women to work in offshore wind.” Dan said.
“Just by having a toilet in a turbine means an average of six fewer ladder climbs and transfers to crew transfer or service operation vessels, which, while improving safety can increase productivity by an average of about 18%.”
PWS’ simple innovation addresses a major offshore wind issue – how to build a larger female workforce. Lack of offshore toilets is frequently cited as a reason why women don’t pursue offshore careers.
Offshore Wind Sector Deal targets seek to double the number of women in the industry from 16% to 33% in the next 20 years.
“It’s a solution to a very real yet simple problem,” said Dan.
Dan, who worked offshore for more than 10 years, added: “The government wants every home to be powered by offshore wind by 2030, My ambition is for every turbine to have an in-tower toilet. Its benefits make it a compelling offer.”
“No one has come up with the technology before. Our unit comes with its own water and power supply and take no resources from the turbine. Waste is secured in a sealed cassette that a technician fits at the start of the shift and removes at the end and takes it away to be cleaned.”
