The Aeromine urban wind turbine / Image: Aeromine.
An American company has unveiled a new type of urban wind turbine, specifically designed to be installed on the roofs of commercial buildings. Its characteristics might seduce even the most reluctant.
In the family of renewable energies, wind power is sometimes unpopular. Considered by some to be unsightly, noisy and not efficient enough. The criticisms are all the more numerous when it comes to urban wind turbines, located in the heart of living spaces.
As the winds are generally weak and turbulent in the city due to obstacles, these turbines produce insignificant amounts of electricity and are most often the result of a greenwashing (eco-bleaching).
In this context, the bladeless urban wind turbine designed by the American company Aeromine Technologies might well arouse a new enthusiasm for this ultra-confidential sector.
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How does this urban wind turbine work?
First point, this wind turbine has an unusual design. Smaller, it boasts a wingspan of only 3 meters. Another major innovation: it is totally still. Of course, this requires the wind turbine to be properly oriented in the face of the prevailing wind when it is installed. Finally, last advantage and not least: the system is silent and does not manage vibrations that can damage buildings. This is also what allows it to be installed directly on the roof of a building.
The wind turbine works thanks to its unique aerodynamics. First, two fins create a Venturi effect that amplifies the wind. By suction, the wind generates a flow of air in the opposite direction in tubes invisible from the outside. A small turbine drives a generator, both installed in the pipeline, and produces electricity.
According to the company, the equipment requires only 10% of the area of rooftop solar panels and silently generates energy, 24 hours a day. The wind turbine might generate up to 50% more energy than a photovoltaic system, for the same price. Surprising assertions, which remain to be proven in commercial operation.
An installation to be combined with solar panels
The wind turbine is designed to be installed in series of 20 to 40 units, at the edge of the roof of a building, leaving the field free in the center to complete the device with solar panels. Very optimistic, the American company argues that this system can generate up to 100% of a building’s energy needs while reducing the need for storage.
However, Aeromine Technologies did not provide much technical data on their device, but according to some information, the power of each unit would be 5 kW pour 14,3 MWh average annual production. The system is currently being tested by BASF chemical company, on a plant located in Michigan. If this technology keeps its promises, it might truly revolutionize the urban wind power industry by opening up new perspectives.
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