A wind tree is a renewable energy invention built in the shape of a tree where each leaf acts as a mini wind turbine to generate electricity. | Photo credit: Image for representation purposes ONLY
The upcoming Integrated Bus Terminus (IBT) at Panjapur on the Tiruchi-Madurai highway will have a wind tree, a micro wind turbine designed to mimic trees, to generate electricity.
Unlike conventional wind turbines, which require a wind velocity of 7 km per hour to generate electricity, a wind tree can do so with a wind velocity of only 2.5 km per hour. The wind tree will have a capacity of 10 kilowatts per hour, which will generate 240 kilowatts of electricity in a day. It will be established at a cost of 68 lakhs.
The Tiruchi district administration is going to install a wind tree with the participation of Tiruchi-based Kontura Solar Power Pvt Ltd. Ltd. by tapping funds through sponsorships and corporate social responsibility contributions. It is claimed to be the first wind tree in these parts of the region.
Collector M Pradeep Kumar said Hindu Wind trees were the latest in new renewable energy sources that could produce power at low speeds. It was decided to install a wind farm in Panjapur to meet some of the electricity needs of the bus terminus. The micro wind turbine will serve as a demonstration end power plant to spread awareness about the advancements in wind energy.
site allocated
The Tiruchi Corporation has designated a place to install a 30 feet high wind tree in the premises of the bus terminus. The wings of the tree will spread up to eight meters like the branches of the tree.
Arun Ribeiro, director of Contura Solar Power, said that the micro wind turbine is an innovative technology of the French company. The metal tree boasts branches adorned with miniature wind turbines that mimic leaves. It can be installed anywhere. It was also ideal for urban settings. A survey was conducted to study the average wind speed in Punjab. The average wind speed at the proposed installation site was found to be 4.5 km per hour. This was more than enough to generate wind power.
published – Dec 20, 2024 07:05 pm IST