This would make for a happier new year!
What looks like a sculpture is actually a wind turbine with many smaller, leaf shaped blades. Because the blades are small and vertical, they generate power in low wind as well as high. The design is silent (big plus!) and looks to be safer for birds.
The Wind tree uses tiny blades that are housed in the leaf units. The blades turn inwards, which enables the units to turn in the wind, regardless of wind direction. Jerome told Microsoft the units respond to wind as low as 2 meters per second. The units are silent, which is a bonus, as other wind turbine technology can be very noisy and unsuitable for urban areas. The team therefore claim the wind tree is less obtrusive than other designs and could be used in many locations such as gardens, squares, parks and shopping centers. The units will cost around £23,000 and can be linked together. Since they look like sculptures, the trees could be used as street art that also powers the city.
From the company's
web site (translated):
The Wind Tree®
Alliance of Technology and biomorphism
DESCRIPTION
Wind power is a 2.0 by NewWind power generation system in the form of a tree whose leaves act like so many mini wind turbines.
Taking advantage of the lower air flow, it can operate in all types of wind: 360°, turbulent and laminar, urban and natural environment.
This design of biomimetic inspiration allows seamless integration into all types of landscape, whether urban or rural. All the technology is invisible; no cables or apparent generators, everything is integrated in the branches and trunks.
The silence of operation of a vertical axis cancels the noise of traditional wind turbines.
By combining a large number of micro-turbines in an organic form, the Wind Tree® is thus able to exploit any kinetic energy and accumulate Watts by simple multiples of the leaves from the tree.
The Tree Wind was designed to last over time (over 25 years) and withstand storms (wind class 3).
After 3 years of R & D, NewWind has already formed an intellectual property portfolio, looking to protect its inventions and avoid many barriers to entry.
Power: 3.1 kilowatts
* Approximate price: from € 29,500
(* Estimate on request - contact us)
And video!
Happy New Year to each and all!