We all know wind turbines are a great way to harness emissions free energy, but some people just carry a distaste for their huge pylons, rotors and the way they look in juxtaposition to the landscape. But German architect Wolfgang Frey has come up with a great idea to do something about it – popping mini turbines on top of trees! Frey put a 3.5m diameter wind rotor atop a douglas fir to generate 5 to 6 kW. Despite the 30% power loss due to this particular placement in a canopy, the turbine still provides enough energy to supply the needs of the nearby houses, including Frey’s.
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I imagine a system of piezoelectric materials that harnesses energy from the movement of the branches, something that looks like a “tree armour”, any ideas how to make it happen? or if it is already out there? There is certainly a biomimetic design that mimicks grass.
Why??? Wouldn’t they have to lay miles and miles of cable and build transformers just to get that electricity. It supplies power to rural homes, An OK idea for those off the beaten path. But will it ever pay off? We knew Frey did this to power his house, energy costs for him are of no importance.