While regular windmills are said to disrupt our landscapes because of their huge size, French company NewWind has designed a "Wind Tree" that perfectly fits in all types of environments.

Small wind turbines have the wind in their sails
Jérôme Michaud-Larivière, who founded the company, explains that this innovative idea came to his mind as he was walking in nature and watching tree leaves blow in the wind. From 8 to 12 meter tall depending on the model, the Wind Tree looks like a real tree since it is composed of a trunk, branches and leaves. The latter act as windmills, by rotating around an axis called "tige" (which means both stem and rod) under the action of the wind. This technology produces what is called "micro electricity", meaning that it can work even with feeble winds. Innovative and aesthetical, this futuristic tree could invade towns and cities in the years to come, enabling people to recharge the batteries of an electric car, for instance.

Learn more about NewWind and the Wind Tree (in French).

Photo credits: NewWind Facebook page

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