Machine Art

Is this how wind can be done in urban environments?

Recently, I stumbled upon an impressive video series by Anthony Howe's, called The Creators Project: Otherworldly Kinetic Sculptures. It showcases metallic artwork whose movements can be triggered by airflow. My initial response was a feeling of being in awestruck by the beauty of these structures. My second response was a question of curiosity and re-evaluation. Should we re-envision wind for the urban landscape? Is there enough wind resource? Can wind turbines be a viable option in major cities? Like many major cities, we are scheduled to see significant population growth in the next 20yrs. I wondered, where urban dwellers would want wind turbines in their back yards?  I know, turbine + sculptures = Machine Art. I was thrilled, so I eagerly set out to do a quick analysis with the following question in mind. Are such machines already in the market or should we as energy generation engineers begin to draw inspiration from sculptors?.  

Gates, Stephen Chernin/Getty Images 

Such machines could be functional public art, unlike the art installation in I saw in Central Park a few years ago; The Gates which was curated by Bulgarian artist Christo Yavacheff and French artist Jeanne Claude. Considering there are thousands of buildings that decorate the city's landscape, Machine Art like solar might be able to power our energy usage from parks, highways, roofs-tops and other open spaces.   Turns out other Engineers, Architects and energy policy makers around the world are inspired too and is doing something about it. 

Noise Pollution/Vibration

The QR5 vertical axis wind turbine made by VWT Power Limited in the U.K. tackles two of the common obstacles with installing wind turbines in major cities: noise pollution and low wind speeds (<35dB). With its tall slim tower, it can installed at the sides of buildings.  Blades are made of carbon fiber minimizes the weight and designed to shed sound. Currently the units are ideal for schools, museums and small apartment buildings. The QR5 is famous for being one of the easiest and most convenient wind turbines.

Power = 6.5kW 

Wind Velocity (min)  = 16m/s 

Space Limitations/Speed Control

The Nacelle-less Honeywell Wind Turbine is manufactured by Windtronics. It uses a brand new type of wind technology that completely eliminates the center gear box and depends on the magnetic output from the outer ring.  This turbine captures the energy from this outer ring in the same way a generator would. Used in the roof-tops of small industrial spaces, blades rotate with wind speeds ranging 1 m/s-17m/s and powering one-third of the average yearly household energy consumption.  If the wind changes directions or becomes too powerful, they have installed a motor that automatically turns the turbine to adjust it to optimum operational levels. If properly secured to the roof this turbine can survive wind speeds of up to 62m/s. These machines are less cumbersome when compared to traditional horizontal wind turbines and can be transported in narrow places.

Power = 5kW

Wind Velocity = 1 m/s 

Integration into Architecture

Embedded into The Strata are three large turbine in its façade. It is the first skyscraper of its kind, built to produce 8% of its energy needs. 42 Stories tall, The building eclipses the height of those in the nearby surroundings allowing it to take full-advantage of the areas wind speeds.  The system can produce 57kW and use 59Mwh of electricity annually.  The skyscrapers design makes bold steps toward meeting the U.K's energy goals for all new buildings; zero carbon footprint by 2020.

Power = 19kW 

Wind Velocity (min) = 35m/s

Aesthetics

This artificial turbine looks like a tree made by NewWind in France and currently in use in Paris.  Using several of the trees together as landscape features in a park, street lights or along a roadside would blend into the environment and make more of an impact to the homes and buildings nearby. The trees are 11 meters, and 8 meters in diameter at its widest point, which makes it about the same height as many urban trees and hold 72 vertical turbines.

Power = 3.1kW 

Wind Velocity = 1.9 m/s 

Resources

Not yet available are these Savonius turbines which could be use under the structures like the Golden Gate bridge conceptualized by Aerotechture. Designed with light plastics, it produces little vibration. and safe for birds. Generally, wind speed needs to be between 6 and 25 meters per second to be successful. Now researchers in the UK have used computer modelling for the first time that not only would wind turbines hanging below tall bridges be a viable way to harvest sustainable electricity, but that one of these installations would be capable of generating around half a megawatt of electricity, or enough to power around 450 to 500 homes

With a clear understanding of the wind resource at potential sites, these system places the electrical load near the electricity loads of major cities. However, poor siting and improper use could lead to turbine failure, possibly resulting in injury, property damage, and potential liabilities. A catastrophic failure could damage property, injure people, and tarnish the wind industry's image. Yet these five examples demonstrate how we can bring art and wind energy to our public spaces and make them viable.

This post does not cover the type of turbines that may directly address zoning regulations, such as Air-Rights and other building codes.