New York Designer Creates Vertical Wind Turbines Designed for Urban Environments

Wind energy is recognized as an essential part of the shift to sustainable energy shift. However, its involvement in distributed energy generation is limited by the tendency to build turbines for optimal efficiency, unlike solar panels, which may be mounted on rooftops and balconies.

To address this challenge, a New York-based designer created a wind fence to integrate sustainable energy into metropolitan settings. According to Interesting Engineering, Joe Doucet made a modular barrier with vertical wind turbines useful and attractive for hotels, business buildings, and residential units.

In 2021, Doucet designed an efficient and attractive wind-distributed energy product after seeing a shortage of successful goods. He has spent two years refining and testing his wind turbine wall concept.

Doucet and his team examined 16 vertical turbine blade prototypes with Airiva, a business co-founded with energy sector veteran Jeff Stone, choosing three for wind tunnel testing. Multiple turbine blades in a spiral form maximized energy production.

In a basic configuration featuring eight helical blades, the wind fence produces 2,200 kWh annually. This implies a typical US family would require five Wind Fence units to live off-grid, but each unit is approximately 14 feet by seven feet, making it better for bigger installations.

Airiva will be produced using 80% recycled material. Notably, It will be marketed to businesses, the public, and real estate clients, not homeowners.

A new modular wind turbine design called Airiva Wind Energy System is set to enter the distributed wind power market in 2025 and produce electricity near where it is consumed.

A new modular wind turbine design called Airiva Wind Energy System is set to enter the distributed wind power market in 2025 and produce electricity near where it is consumed. https://t.co/uakGcEBr65

- TheCivilEngineer.org (@TheCivilEngin) April 11, 2024

Clean Energy Investments Rise

Modular wind fence modules improve energy generation at a plant. Although they cannot match the production of giant horizontal turbines, their useful proximity to other locations reduces energy transmission losses.

Custom-made pilots may begin commercial wind fence installation this year, with first orders expected in 2025.

According to the latest data, more firms are investing in clean energy. The Rhodium Group reported an unprecedented $71 billion in clean energy and transportation investments in the first quarter.

Investment announcements doubled over the previous quarter. According to Industry Dive, the research added that the first quarter of 2023 witnessed $51 billion in new investments, whereas 2018 saw $78 billion.

The supply chain for electric cars, according to the Rhodium Group, drove clean investment and growth, which increased 28% quarter over quarter. Investment in retail and technology to decarbonize energy and industrial production fell 3% from the previous quarter but increased year-over-year from the first quarter of 2023.

US, Partners to Advance Clean Energy

In a separate update on clean energy, the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) will convene a ministerial conference in Singapore with key corporations participating in a "Clean Economy" investor roundtable to encourage infrastructure and climate investments.

According to Reuters, the first in-person IPEF ministerial session took place in San Francisco following November's significant advancements in the IPEF Clean Economy Agreement and Fair Economy Agreement.

At this week's conference, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the nations will specify procedures under each accord. She noted that participants will finalize the agreements at the ministerial level.

The IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum will comprise 22 prominent US firms, including AWS, Bechtel, Google, Microsoft, BlackRock, Citi, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and KKR. Major Australian and Japanese investors will also attend the meeting.

Raimondo noted that each country submitted its top clean economy initiatives, and the investor forum will match them. The list includes solar, wind, energy transmission, infrastructure, transportation, and mobility projects.