# Eiffel Tower has Small Wind Turbines

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/eiffel-tower-has-small-wind-turbines/
- Published: 2019-09-22T23:42:03-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Two small wind turbines operate on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. They generate
10,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Consequently only enough power for
the tower’s commercial operations.

![Eifell tower wind turbines](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2015/04/img_20150402_215413.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 "IMG_20150402_215413 - The
Green Living Guy")

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# All for Sustainability with GE

The sustainability initiative is a partnership between the City of Paris and a company
called Urban Green Energy (UGE). GE teamed up with UGE in 2012 to originally connect
one of their [small wind turbines](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/01/global-cumulative-installed-capacity-of-small-wind-turbines-will-increase-more-than-fivefold-from-912-6-megawatts-in-2014-to-4-8-gigawatts-by-2025/)
to the GE WattStation. The WattStation is an electric vehicle charging station. 
Calling the integrated system the Sanya Skypump. Furthermore, electric vehicles 
use it to top off their batteries. Then they are powered as a result by the wind.
That’s pretty cool.

**Source: Txchnologist**

Although and as [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/2015/3/2/8128587/eiffel-tower-wind-turbines-photo-essay)
reports, the turbines are 17-foot structures. When they started running the direction
changed.

## Drop in the Bucket

So Jan Gromadzki is the engineer who ran the project. You know folks, from the company
that won. The New York-based Urban Green Energy (UGE). Jan says consequently that’s
enough to power an average American family’s home for one year. But although for
the Eiffel Tower which consumes [an estimated](http://www.leparisien.fr/paris-75/paris-la-tour-eiffel-passe-au-vert-avec-deux-eoliennes-26-02-2015-4560629.php)
6.7 GWh a year: “it’s just a small drop in the ocean.”

In conclusion, when the turbines are moving, they’re clearly visible from the Trocadéro
square. A location which offers a direct view of the [tower](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/consurfvation-clothing-goes-sexy-hip-to-protect-our-oceans/)
from the opposite side of the Seine. But from the foot of the tower looking up, 
they’re barely visible. I mean lost amid the lattice maze of iron that holds everything
together. Up close, they look sloped, smooth, and far more elegant. Meaning more
elegant than the utilitarian propellers usually associated with wind power installations.

### Most interestingly, this was in partnership with the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE).

UGE designed the wind energy system to provide a clean source of energy at the [Eiffel Tower](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/11/4-tips-to-see-if-your-garbage-is-actually-recyclable/).
The two, UGE VisionAIR5 wind turbines were specially painted and matching the iconic
tower. Plus a top off series of other efficiency upgrades.

The Eiffel Tower’s vertical axis wind turbines are virtually silent. Furthermore
they are designed to capture wind from any direction. This consequently offers a
unique addition to the historic structure.

In addition, the location for the wind turbines is 400 feet (120m) above ground 
level. It is the strategically chosen location to maximize energy production. Thereby
allowing the wind turbines to harvest steady winds.

All at the height of the installation and offsetting the Tower’s energy usage. So
mounting the turbines at this location was itself a technical challenge. That’s 
because it’s requiring each component to be hoisted. As well as suspended with ropes
to the Tower’s second level.

### LED Lights too

The [Eiffel Tower](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/solar-energy-conversion-offers-solution-mitigating-global-warming/)
attracts an estimated 7 million tourists per year. The 125-year-old tower was also
is in the middle of a two-year, €30 million ($33.6 million) [renovation ](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/05/paris-france)
that adds energy-saving LED lights. The renovation also introduced a vertigo-inducing
[glass floor](http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/07/travel/eiffel-tower-glass-floor/)
on the tower’s first level.

Because Paris embraced greener policies. They are leaders at [global summits](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/world/asia/deal-on-carbon-emissions-by-obama-and-xi-jinping-raises-hopes-for-upcoming-paris-climate-talks.html)
on climate change but their temperatures in Paris are breaking records.

However, the city [calling](https://web.archive.org/web/20150427000018/http://www.paris.fr:80/accueil/environnement/energie-verte-la-ville-s-y-met-a-100/rub_9654_actu_149558_port_23775)
for all municipal buildings and public lighting to go green. Yes folks, exclusively
using electricity from renewable sources. It was done by the year 2016 and Mayor
Anne Hidalgo also banning all diesel vehicles from Paris by 2020. Hopefully in the
hopes of easing its [smog problems](https://www.theverge.com/2014/3/14/5507762/paris-offers-free-public-transportation-to-curb-air-pollution).

#### Free Public Transportation

Their air is comparable to Beijing. So French authorities have taken steps to mitigate
the problem, which the European Environmental Agency (EEA) described as the worst
pollution spell since 2007. The head of Paris’ transit authority [announcing](https://www.lemonde.fr/mobilite/article/2014/03/13/pollution-les-transports-en-commun-gratuits-en-ile-de-france_4382854_1653095.html)
free weekend public transportation, as part of this effort reducing pollution caused
by cars. Furthermore, the city earlier announced that its public bike and car sharing
services will also be free. Especially while pollution levels remain high. Even 
though environmental groups have urged the government to do more.

In addition to wind energy, the renovation included LED lighting. Plus a 10m² of
roof-mounted solar panels on a visitor pavilion. Again this output meets 50% of 
the water heating needs.

#### High Performance Pumps

In addition, high-performance heat pumps are installed to ensure a constantly balanced
temperature. The two pavilions also gained a rainwater recovery system.  This system
providing flushing water to the toilet facilities.

Besides the Eiffel Tower, UGE designing wind, solar and microgrid systems globally.
I mean they are located in more than 90 countries around the world. All for global
brands like Whole Foods, Hilton, Dropbox and Verizon.

The hope is that planting discrete wind turbines on the city’s most recognizable
building will not only reaffirm Paris’ eco-friendly agenda. However it will spur
others to adopt similar technologies.

This is one of the companies dedicated to making sustainable living accessible to
everyone.

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
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