Chicago-based Aerotecture International is in the final development stage of its innovative urban wind power product, the Aeroturbine. The turbines are designed for rooftop installation on either commercial or multi-family residences that have access to strong winds. Aerotecture is in the process of finalizing the design, testing and implementation of its commercial prototypes for possible sale and distribution later this year (2007).
An interesting aspect of their design is the creation of both a vertical prototype for multi-directional wind locations, and a horizontal version for locations with a steady primary wind direction. These turbines are designed to operate at slow speeds, with little noise and maintenance. The reflective finish and slow turning speed of their turbines reduce the risk to birds and wildlife. The 510V will produce an estimated 1kW of power in 30 mph winds with the 520H producing an estimated 1.8kW from similar wind speeds. Each turbine is custom fitted to the architecture of the building with a ballpark cost for the 510V of $15,000 and the 520H of $21,000.
Potential installation locations need to be 40 feet above ground, unobstructed by trees or other structures, with wind speeds averaging over 10mph. Initially, distributors will be based in Paterson, NJ, Chicago and San Francisco, and will work within a 400-mile radius of those cities.
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I think the asking price is a too high for the Aeroturbine. Assuming that you could get 5 Kwh per day out of the 1Kw 510V model and assuming that the value of the Kwh is $0.12/Kwh, yearly income equivalent would be
365days/yr x 5Kwh/day x $0.12/Kwh = $219/year
Therefore payback time in years would be
$15,000/($219/yr) = 68.5 years
Even if you could get 10 kwh per day (which is doubtful because where are you going to have wind blowing at 30mph 10 hours/day), the payback would still be about 35 years. However, the equipment would probably breakdown long before then.
Companies such as Aerotechnical International have to come up with more sensible pricing or they will not get to first base in selling their product.
adrianakau@aol.com
You’re right about the current pricing of the turbines. The company hopes to cut the unit price when they start mass producing the product and can attain some economies of scale. Look for them to start selling them in the fall.
Shanghai Aeolus Wind Technology Co. Ltd. http://www.sawt.com.cn also sells a vertical 1 Kw wind turbine (P1000). Costs are
Mill System..$1800
Controller….$280
Inverter……$500
Total………$2580
Cost factor for ordering only one (instead of many) is 1.05x
Total cost for 1 system is 1.05 x $2580 = $2709
Postage from Shanghai to the US (180Kg)..= $300
Total for complete system plus postage= $3009
The P1000 is designed to work at only 5.5 meters above ground level. Short tower, easy installation and maintenence.
adrianakau@aol.com
I think that it would be more efficient and produce more power if you merge technologies… take the flexible solar panels that Dr. Alan Heeger (UC Santa Barbara) is working on and line the turbines with them. You would have two power producers in one covenant package. I think green power is great keep it up…
Great Product!
Would be nice if there was a plans/schematic package available for the do-it-yourself, build your own consumer base?
Saw this wind turbine design on a UK satellite TV program about green energy and was impressed enough to look for it on the WWW.
I understand that the designer was inspired by Richard Buckminster(Bucky)Fuller, and that the shape of the aerofoils is a double helix, like DNA. Apparently the turbine is ideally suited to mounting on Chicago’s buildings because it “doesn’t mind” turbulent, vari-directional winds. It looks to be a beautiful and simple design, but the price is ridiculous. What a brilliant idea to incorporate flexible solar panels. At the right price, this design could change The World!
… Congrats & Keep Going!!! – Neal Pearson.
this guy should merg with the Konarka power plastic company. In most places, if you dont have wind you have sun! Just a question. does anyone know how much airflow is produced by a hot roof in a place like so Cal? That might be worth experementing with.