I’ve always thought integrated building turbines were a smart idea — but generally they could only be found on models or drawings of ‘potential’ green architecture. No longer. The Bahrain World Trade Center made history earlier this week by allowing its new integrated blades to start catching some wind and generating electricity. They are expected to provide between 11%-15% of the building’s power. From the article,
“he elliptical shapes of the two buildings of the architecture funnel and even accelerate the wind towards the turbines. And there’ll be no shortage of wind too, what with the Bahrain World Trade Center in direct path of the onshore breeze blowing from the Gulf coast. According to the project manager, the cost of turbines was reduced to 3.5 percent of the whole project’s, which means that should the turbines work as expected, the project is financially viable.”
It’s about time we create buildings that take advantage of their height and air flow to work for them, rather than against. The Middle East is currently a hot bed for green tech — so look to other projects in the coming months to wow even further.
via goodcleantech
[UPDATE] Metaefficient has posted a sweet video of the three turbines in action. Take a look here.
3 Comments
This is a great idea! the two towers that compose this building, funnels wind therefor making the turbines more efficient.
It really looks amazing. I hope it’ll work as good as possible and not to produce too much vibrations and noise.
Would really love to see real stats after the first year of every day use.
Hell,even the guys that sell the oil we buy are building windmills! Americans, the writing is on the wall, no more 620hp, 9mpg Corvettes, no more Hummers, no more Caddies, just eco-boxes made in China, thats all!
P.S. Howcum: In Brazil there is no oil shortage? Are their predator Capitalists smarter than our predator Capitalists?