Motionless turbines could solve the problem of noisy wind energy

• The turbines can power the equivalent of 850 households annually
• They can be integrated with solar panels to improve energy efficiency
• The first of its kind is being trialled at BMW

The technology developed by Aeromine is bird friendly and quiet – Credit Aeromine

A ‘motionless’ wind energy system hailed as a breakthrough scalable renewable energy solution, due to its lack of noise and consideration of bird safety, has been installed in the UK. 

Created by US company Aeromine Technologies, the prototype is being trialled in Oxford, and is angled towards the prevailing wind on the roof of BMW’s MINI manufacturing plant. 

According to the company, the system is a white unit made from vertical airfoils which create a vacuum effect and draw wind behind an internal propeller to generate electricity. 

Claus Lønborg, managing director at Aeromine, said: “Our ‘motionless’ wind energy technology is designed to work seamlessly alongside solar systems, maximising the renewable energy output from rooftops while helping address challenges like noise, vibrations, and wildlife impact.” 

The unit works alongside 11,000 solar panels, or the equivalent area of five football pitches, and generates enough electricity to power 850 households annually. When the sun sets or it becomes too overcast for the solar panels to work, the wind unit continues to generate electricity. They also work in the winter and areas of the globe that see less sunlight. 

Funding for this revolutionary green energy technology came via the BMW Startup Garage. It backs this type of tech by commissioning the startup as a supplier, and acting as the customer rather than an investor through venture capital.

Carmen Gargioni, innovation team lead, BMW Group Real Estate Management, said: “[It] acts as a matchmaker between startups and different business units. New technologies are essential as we strive to find the most efficient solution to our requirements.”

Aeromine’s wind installations are typically 50kW and built for urban integration, working well with large, flat rooftops. 

While new, they aren’t the first to create bird-friendly technology. New World Wind, a company that focuses on different types of wind power, has created ‘Aeroleaf’ technology which places micro wind turbines on structures that look like trees, helping to blend into urban environments. 

The company Flower Turbine has developed a turbine of the same name, which has tulip shaped turbines to avoid any protuberances. Airiva has created a vertical fence with rotary blades within that is both quiet and aesthetically pleasing.