Motionless turbines could solve the problem of noisy wind energy

Louise Frohlich
Written By
Tamara Birch, senior writer, The Eco Experts
Reviewed By
Published on 12 September 2024
  • 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
Aeromine motionless wind turbine

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.

Written by

Louise Frohlich

Louise joined The Eco Experts as Editorial Assistant in April 2004. She is a talented artist who has a keen interest in solutions that lead to a more environmentally-friendly future.

Louise graduated from the University of Winchester in 2022 and went on to write for The Eco Experts sister site, Expert Reviews. She has taken part in charity expeditions to Ecuador and Uganda to help build water pipes, promote environmental cleanup initiatives and implement sustainable farming techniques. She now uses her knowledge to help readers make more eco-friendly choices.

Alongside her passion for the environment she enjoys theatre, portraiture and Egyptology.

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Reviewed By

Tamara Birch, senior writer, The Eco Experts

Tamara is a London-based journalist and has written about environmental topics for more than four years. This includes advising small business owners on cost-effective ways, like solar panels and energy-efficient products, to help them become more sustainable.

She has used her journalist and research skills to become highly knowledgeable on sustainable initiatives, issues, and solutions to help consumers do their bit for the environment - all while reducing monthly costs.

In addition to adopting sustainable practices in her personal life, Tamara has worked in the retail B2B space to help independent retailers think about their environmental choices and how they can help improve their business. She now uses this knowledge to help consumers do the same.

Her passion for sustainability and eco-friendly solutions stems from a long obsession with nature and animals and ensuring they feel looked after. In her free time, Tamara enjoys reading fantasy novels, visiting the gym, and going on long walks in new areas.

You can get in touch with Tamara via email at tamara.birch@mvfglobal.com.

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