For chaotic city winds: innovative wind turbine as an alternative to the balcony power plant

• The British company O-Innovations has presented the prototype of a new type of wind turbine.
• The concept works without rotor blades and can convert air movements from all directions into electricity.

When people talk about using alternative energy sources, many have a house in the country in their mind’s eye. Sure – there are numerous solutions here, from the PV system in the form of roof tiles to solar fences and wind bushes. And city dwellers? These can be placed on a maximum of one balcony power plant. But what if the balcony is in a street canyon in a big city and rarely has daylight?

For such cases, a solution is in the works with O-Wind. The one from the British company is still there O-Innovations developed turbine, however, in prototype status. But the principle sounds promising. Because in such urban areas there is a lot of air movement, such as the well-known fall winds along the fronts of houses. The wind direction often changes quickly and unpredictably.

E-wind can take advantage of such air movements. The prototype has a balloon-like plastic body, open on all sides, that begins to rotate as air flows through it. The 3D-printed body is deliberately kept small – after all, people in rented apartments and small apartments in particular should make use of this type of electricity generation.

And if the wind isn’t blowing, the lampion-like body doesn’t look like a mini power plant, but, according to the manufacturer, is reminiscent of Japanese lanterns. It is not yet clear when O-Wind will be ready for the market and what the price will be. You can read more reports from the field of alternative energy production here.