Art and innovation shake hands and meet in Charleston
Local wood artisan, Michael James Moran, has joined forces with John Griswold, Matt Charles, and Alec Sheaff of EcoBilt Energy Systems to create a novel application of alternative energy in the arts community.
EcoBilt has outfitted a 20 foot shipping container salvaged from the Charleston Navy Yard with two 20-watt solar modules. Woodworkers, like Moran, use kilns to dry lumber for their projects to a particular moisture content for interior use. Air drying in humid conditions, such as in the Lowcountry climate, does not reach the needed moisture content, whereas a kiln generates necessary heat for lowering the percentage of moisture to the desired level.
John explains, “In order to displace the humidity within the kiln, ventilation is key. This usually done by placing vents throughout the kiln and providing airflow through the use of fans. Fans, of course, need power to operate – and in most cases, this is done with traditional electricity or via a generator.”