This is totally new. For the first time in France, a residential windmill has been set on a built-up area. Solar panels are usually dedicated to fit in those places but because the building is very close to the North sea and its windy weather, it makes sense.
The windmill distinguishes it from its cousins in countryside or wind farms. Its height has been downsized to avoid any surbuban annoyances, leading its axe to be horizontal. The turbine is part of the Darrieus class, weight 1,500 kg and extends its 2-meters rotor on 5 meters. It yearly electricity production is limited to 7,000 kWh ― very much less than conventional windmills ― and will only use to light common zone of the building.
“This kind of windmill is better than complex and constantly exploited windmills. And it is also easier to install,” said H2 Développement, the architecture agency which teamed up with WindWall, the dutch company which designed the product.
OK for the design but is it profitable ? Well, not really. Because of administrative rules, the produced electricity will be delivered to EDF, the national energy company, and resold to its inhabitants. Of course at a higher price. But the ADEME (the French agency for energy savvy) carefully follow the experimentation though. Do you still think it is a good idea ?
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