Inside French Wind: Eifel tower to generate energy with two vertical axis wind turbines

UGE International has installed two vertical axis wind turbines at the Eiffel Tower that generate enough energy to power the monument’s first-floor commercial areas. Installed 400ft above ground level, the turbines will generate 10,000kWh of energy per year. The turbines installation was part of a renovation project, which the first the tower has undergone in 30 years.

UGE said the turbines are virtually silent and were designed to capture wind from any direction. The renovation project also includes LED lighting and 10m² of roof-mounted solar panels on a visitor pavilion whose output will meet about 50% of the water heating requirements of the two pavilions. Heat pumps have also been installed for a balanced temperature. The project also includes a rainwater recovery system.

UGE was required to achieve a significant reduction in the tower’s ecological footprint as part of the City of Paris Climate Plan. UGE International CEO Nick Blitterswyk said: “The Eiffel Tower is arguably the most renowned architectural icon in the world, and we are proud that our advanced technology was chosen as the Tower commits to a more sustainable future.

“When visitors from around the world see the wind turbines, we get one step closer to a world powered by clean and reliable renewable energy.”

Apart from the Eiffel Tower, UGE has designed wind, solar and microgrid systems in over 90 countries for several global brands

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