The first skyscraper to integrate large-scale wind turbines suspends three 1,200-megawatt units between its matching 787-foot office towers. The turbines, which were completed in April, supply 15 percent of the electricity for the two buildings—roughly the same amount used by 300 homes.
The real output is 225 kw per turbine. The projected energy yield from the turbines, taking into account wind and availability data, is estimated to be: Turbine #1 340–400 MW h/year Turbine #2 360–430 MW h/year Turbine #3 400–470 MW h/year This amounts to between 1100 and 1300 MW h per year and will amount to approximately 11–15% of the office towers’ electrical energy consumption. In carbon emission terms this equates to an average of 2900 kg C (oil-burning power station) or 2000 kg C (gas-burning power station). These figures are conservative. Since this is a world first and because wind turbines have not been placed 160 m above ground level and between buildings, the yield may even be higher. See www.norwin.dk for more details.
Stay up to date on the latest news of the future of science and technology from your iPhone with full articles, images and offline viewing
Featuring every article from the magazine and website, plus links from around the Web. Also see our PopSci DIY feed
Share links with friends, comment on stories and more
In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.
Check out the best of what's new here.