Renewable energies, notably solar and wind, are regarded as crucial in the quest to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and move to a more sustainable future.
Whilst solar panels are increasingly being used on buildings of all sizes, wind turbines tend to be only seen in large sizes/quantities and large fields; however, this could be set to change with the invention of a new domestic wind turbine by Dutch firm Archimedes.
The Liam F1 mini urban wind turbine
Created by Dutch firm Archimedes, the Liam F1 mini urban wind turbine is designed specifically for urban use. It is a vertical-axis wind turbine with a unique spiral shape that enables better wind capture, even in built-up environments.
Energy production
Based on a 5m/s wind speed, the Liam F1 can produce up to 1,500kWh per year. A typical household in England, Scotland or Wales uses 2,700kWh of electricity in a year. Of course, these figures are averages, so it is possible that a small household could be entirely powered by this in terms of electricity.
Benefits/advantages
Unlike solar panels, the Liam F1 can work overnight and even when there is substantial cloud cover. It is virtually silent, low maintenance, and has a sleek and compact design that allows for installation on rooftops or small pieces of land. There is no reason why it cannot be used in conjunction with solar panels.
Dorset solar panels – experts
Solar panels are a clean and effective way of harnessing the sun’s power to generate electricity and can be fitted to the roofs of most buildings. If you are interested in finding out more, specialists such as /solarpanelsdorset.co.uk/solar-panels can offer advice and a range of options.
Costs
The cost of the Liam F1 turbine varies from around £4,000 to £5,700 depending on the size/model. This doesn’t include any installation fees; however, the savings on energy bills and the potential to sell back excess energy to the grid mean the cost is likely to be offset within around a decade.