Steel 'Trees' Generate Power With Wind
- 10 years ago
A Parisian start-up has developed a tree-like structure that features plastic leaves which are capable of collecting wind to turn into energy.
A Paris-based start-up has devised an innovative way for utilizing wind to create energy.
The company, NewWind, designed a nearly 26-foot tall steel prototype that emulates a tree. The tree features branches with 100 plastic leaf-like devices on them that act as mini-turbines.
The leaves are capable of producing energy even if it's not particularly windy out. This is due to tiny blades located within their structure that rotate with the breeze.
While a taller design would reach more powerful winds, this tree is meant to be appealing to the public and remains small. It also is completely silent while in motion.
It also runs nearly double the amount of time of a larger machine, functioning around 320 days per year.
The prototype is currently standing at a commune located in northwestern France, but the company hopes the tree will someday be used residentially and commercially.
One tree costs nearly $37,000 to produce. While that may seem pricey, the tree is capable of turning a profit within two years of use.
The company is looking ahead at other options for those not wanting to plant the metal tree, such as installing the turbines on roof tops.
The tree still awaits independent laboratory tests, but NewWind plans to begin marketing the tree in 2015.
A Paris-based start-up has devised an innovative way for utilizing wind to create energy.
The company, NewWind, designed a nearly 26-foot tall steel prototype that emulates a tree. The tree features branches with 100 plastic leaf-like devices on them that act as mini-turbines.
The leaves are capable of producing energy even if it's not particularly windy out. This is due to tiny blades located within their structure that rotate with the breeze.
While a taller design would reach more powerful winds, this tree is meant to be appealing to the public and remains small. It also is completely silent while in motion.
It also runs nearly double the amount of time of a larger machine, functioning around 320 days per year.
The prototype is currently standing at a commune located in northwestern France, but the company hopes the tree will someday be used residentially and commercially.
One tree costs nearly $37,000 to produce. While that may seem pricey, the tree is capable of turning a profit within two years of use.
The company is looking ahead at other options for those not wanting to plant the metal tree, such as installing the turbines on roof tops.
The tree still awaits independent laboratory tests, but NewWind plans to begin marketing the tree in 2015.