One of the enceinte literary criticism against wind turbines is that they are n’t usually nice to look at , but that may be about to change thanks to the Gallic companyNewWind . Their fresh gimmick , Tree Vent , is an array of vertical breaking wind turbines that expect a lot like a tree .
Though the tree look like a piece of modern art that would fit in at any urban domain , it also provides a very of import function . Eachtree has a current baron outputof 3.1 kilowatts , which might not be able to power much on its own . However , using several of the trees together as landscape painting boast in a park or along a roadside would make more of an impingement to the home and edifice nearby .
The trees are 11 time ( 36 ft ) magniloquent , and 8 meters ( 26 foot ) in diameter at its widest point , which makes it about the same altitude as many urban trees . The white underframe of the tree is made out of brand , and it can concur 72 turbines that model vertically . This orientation cancel out noise , allowing the turbine to spin silently . Wind turbine are typically very tall for extend to the altitude where the malarky is stronger , but these vertical turbines are able-bodied to spin with confidential information blowing as low as 7 kilometer / h ( 4.4 miles per hour ) , making this twice as sensitive as traditional turbines . However , they are long-lived enough to withstandCategory 3winds , which can hit 178 - 208 kilometer / h ( 111 - 129 mph ) .
Each turbine “ sheet , ” called anAeroleaf , is constructed out of lightweight credit card . The credit card has been treat with a rosin which protect it from weather conditions such as humidness and table salt ( for area nigh to the ocean ) . The turbine are wire in analog so that if one stops working for whatever reason , the others will not be affected .
Image credit : NewWind
dying to control one of these out ? NewWind will be test a tree in Paris’sPlace de la Concordebetween March 12 and May 12 of this class , allowing the public to see how the turbine functions in a normal setting . About 40 more unit are due to be put in around the country in September .
For those desire a Tree Vent for themselves , you are going to have to look a bit longer . They are n’t due to go into aggregated production until the summertime of 2016 and will initially only be useable in France and other proximal European countries . There is no Holy Scripture on when or if they plan to extend the ware into the United States . The approximate price of each tree will be about € 29,500 ( US$ 35,000 ) , though that price will hopefully decrease as production becomes less expensive and the technology is further educate .
Check out this video of the turbines in action :
