A SMALL URBAN WIND TREE

New wind turbine looks like a tree, generates power silently

Ryan Whitwam, January 3, 2015 (Geek)

“…The Wind Tree is being developed by[France’s] NewWind and has 72 artificial leaves…[I]t’s an array of wind power turbines in the shape of a tree, and several of them will be deployed in Paris this coming March as a test…Each [leaf] is a vertical axis turbine, vaguely conical in shape. Because each one has little mass, they can generate power with a gentle breeze…[It could generate] power, on average, 280 days of the year. Total power output across all 72 turbines is estimated at 3.1 kW. Larger traditional turbines can produce considerably more power, but they need more wind…

“At [36 feet tall and 26 feet] in diameter, the Wind Tree is about the size and shape of a real tree…[like] a decorative sculpture in an urban setting. It’s made entirely of steel, and NewWind says it is completely silent…All the cables and generators are sealed inside…Each Wind Tree is expected to cost €29,500 (US$36,500), but could pay for itself in a few years…” click here for more

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