Adobe’s installation of 20 small wind turbines on the sixth floor of their headquarters building made big news recently. But this is even bigger. Quinnipiac University in Connecticut is putting the finishing touches on a micro wind turbine cluster on its new green campus in York Hill. The “wind garden” is made with 25 vertical-axis turbines from Mariah Power and estimated to generate about 32,626 kWh annually.
Not much has changed since our last update on the Honeywell Wind Turbine, except WindTronics released this video showing the gearless blade tip system at work. It’s spinning nicely, and the company claims it can start generating energy at winds speeds as low as 2 mph (and up to 42 mph). The $5,995, soon-to-be-launched small wind turbine can produce up to 2000 kWh/yr in class 3 winds and up to 2752 kWh/yr in class 4 winds.
A couple years ago, I watched with caution as Philippe Starck announced plans to design residential scale vertical axis wind turbines. Everyone loves the idea of small wind — especially VAWT designs — but practical issues can sometimes preclude actual energy generation with these things. Nonetheless, after two years of research, it seems the French designer has some actual products to speak about. Speaking to a crowd in Milan, Starck unveiled two Revolution Air turbine models to be made by Pramac.
About one month ago, construction began on this ambitious light rail substation for the South Terminus of TriMet's Portland Mall Light Rail Line. The station, designed by Hennebery Eddy Architects, combines style with salvaged materials and a unique solar and wind power scheme.
Several years ago, Adobe made business news by sharing how their green building initiatives saved the company big money. Its San Jose headquarters facility includes three office towers that have received three LEED Platinum certifications. Over time, the company has reduced indoor water use by 22%, landscape water use by 76%, electricity by 35%, and natural gas by 41%. Now Adobe generates on-site energy with 20 Windspire small wind turbines by Mariah Power.
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