News outlet CNN recently reported on an inventive way for nature and technology to meet—in a steel tree designed to generate power for heating, lighting, and charging.
CNN writes that the French “Arbre a Vent,” the tree created to turn air into energy, has changed preconceptions on what renewable energy really looks like. The goal is simple: to turn air currents into energy wherever possible, particularly in cities where practical and aesthetic needs call for an alternative to traditional devices such as wind turbines.
A prototype of the artistic tree will be “planted” in Paris for two months starting mid-March, and developments and ideas will continue to flow as a result of its innovation in wind power. On the horizon, according to company engineer Julia Revuz, are “mini wind turbines” that could fit into a variety of crowded urban landscapes.
Something From Nothing: Renewable Energy
The idea of using a plentiful resource (wind) to create energy has motivated eco-friendly thinking for years. Last year we learned about the possibility of creating electricity from garbage, and Vermont’s City of Burlington managed to receive their power exclusively from natural sources: water, wind, and biomass (material from organisms, usually plants), ThinkProgress reported.
Get More Efficient
Retrofitting means enhancing or adding to something existing. In the electricity industry, retrofits are especially necessary in older buildings that don’t have today’s advanced electrical systems. Newer electrical systems not only save operating costs, but they also focus on eco-friendly output. Looking at warehouse electrical costs, Kirby Electric discovered a way for a poorly lit warehouse to save nearly $10,000 yearly, and install brighter lights that make working conditions safer and more productive.
Learn more about lighting retrofits and how they could change the way you do business.
About Kirby Electric
Kirby Electric is a premier Seattle electrical contractor specializing in commercial and industrial electrical contracting. As your local commercial electrician, we can help with any electrical needs when it comes to upgrading older buildings, including equipment hook ups, rewiring or relocating panels, and lighting upgrades. We also work with electrical companies like Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Public Utilities, Lakeview Power and others that will provide a rebate for upgrading to a more efficient lighting upon approval of the project. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to get a quote.
(Image by rakratchada torsap via FreeDigitalPhotos.net)