New wind tree will pay for itself in two years

[Quixote1818]

[TheBlackAdder]

1. Some other site raised the issue of killing birds and noise. nt

[Kablooie]

7. I doubt birds would get involved with spinning leafy things.

It would probably look like a passel scarecrows to them.

[RoccoR5955]

14. noise?

How much noise does a coal fired power plant make?

[TheBlackAdder]

36. Gee, I don't know. The only one in my state is 40 miles away, and is only in one location.

It's in a barren industrial area, a mile away from the nearest set of homes

[NBachers]

2. OK, Quixote1818, you are now our official designated keep-us-informed wind tree person

I hope you will continue posting about wind tree news.

[Quixote1818]

4. Well, here is this

http://www.businessinsider.com/wind-turbines-that-look-like-trees-2015-1

[jberryhill]

3. Money doesn't grow on trees, you know

[PoliticAverse]

5. I'd like to see the math on the alleged 2-year payback. n/t

[Quixote1818]

6. Now that you mention it $18,000 worth of energy per year seems a bit hard to believe.

I do think if it becomes a mass market fixture and drops dramatically in price, two years will eventually be doable. Maybe two years payoff is a projection once they are mass marketed?

[1monster]

20. By my calculations, it would take slightly more than 15 years to recoup that $38,000

investment IF the tree generated enough electricity to power my whole house...

However, if the price comes down to reasonable, I would be interested. I'm already thinking of the really funky garden I could plan around it.

[Vincardog]

23. They might be factoring in selling surplus to the electric co.

[blackbart99]

10. Really......

And if 2.5 years or 3 years or 5 years....It will still pay for itself and then its free energy......
What the hell is wrong with you? It's that attitude that spreads stagnation.
Have fun with your coal dust in your lungs.

[PoliticAverse]

11. What if the payback is 10 years and the lifetime is 9 years? In that case it would be

a pure waste of money.

[blackbart99]

31. Now your just being adverse.....

Oh yeah it's right there in your name.....nevermind Neanderthal.

[PoliticAverse]

32. Averse and adverse are different words. n/t

[drmeow]

29. Two things may contribute

first - given how expensive gas is compared to the US, electricity may be equally more expensive in Paris
second - they may be including other hidden costs associated with energy production in their calculation

[Warpy]

8. Wow, light, cheap, beautiful, kind to birds and short payback period

what's not to love? Of course, it remains to be seen what the cost per kilowatt is compared to the big generators. Still, these will be a lot easier to sell to NIMBYs who don't want their view fouled up.

[magical thyme]

12. 3.2kW/leaf; 72 leafs/tree

$37,000 to produce one tree.

They don't say what the life time is.

[world wide wally]

9. I would just suggest a deeper green color to be less obtrusive

[gregcrawford]

13. A BIG leap in miniaturization!

There are probably a multitude of ways to dress up wind turbines to be more aesthetically pleasing; the development is still in its infancy. As they get smaller and more efficient, we'll get closer to the joyous day when we'll see the Koch brothers on bread lines. What a delight to see the minions of Sauron brought low!

[midnight]

15. I love science.

[brush]

16. What climate is best for these trees?

What happens in the northeast or midwest winters when the freezing rain and snow freezes those 'leaves' and they can't turn.

I'm in favor of alternate energy and have considered a backyard windmill.

[Warpy]

24. Chances are they wouldn't work in freezing rain

They would have to be redesigned for the desert southwest, too, high altitude, relentless sun is hard on plastic, making it brittle rather quickly. However, for reasonable places in reasonable weather, it's a much quieter and more pleasant alternative to the big wind towers.

Freezing rain is a problem only until the sun comes out. Around here, the "leaves" would need to be made of metal and the lubrication would have to be graphite, but I can see them working here.

[eggplant]

17. Nifty. Innovation is good.

Even if it doesn't work out in the end in this exact format.

Does it really matter if this one prototype pays for itself in two years? Or that it won't be practical for every climate?

[vkkv]

18. 37k U.S. each, paid off in two years = Producing 18.5 Dollars in electricity each year, really?

Man oh man!

I want AT LEAST one!

[vkkv]

19. Let's hope the GOP Congress does not OUTLAW the import of these as

some sort of direct competition with a U.S. company that will soon BUY OUT the exclusive rights in the U.S. .... Chumps.

Friends don't let friends vote Republican
- or drive DRUNK

[abakan]

21. I want to plant these in my yard...

No watering, no leaves to rake and it is art. What's not to like, art that cuts your electric bill? Win Win

[drmeow]

30. Me, too!

probably some shade, too!

[zebonaut]

22. Amazing no ones ever thought of that!

[packman]

25. Damn, that's neat

pleasing to the eye, practical, and a statement all in one.

[Quixote1818]

26. So the average American home needs an average of 1kW throughout the day

With these generating an average of 3.1 kW that means 280 days out of the year you are covering your electricity 100% and selling the electric company 2 kW most of the day and night. So basically take your electric bill and multiply it by two and that is about how much the electric company would be paying you each month. Hopefully I did that right?

Here are the averages used per region in US: http://www.builderonline.com/builder-100/strategy/shocking-average-residential-electricity-bills-in-the-us_o

[missingthebigdog]

27. They look cool.

I want one!

[certainot]

28. hopefully it'll be easy to find the one that's squeeking

[Johnny Rash]

33. In Northern Countries, why don't we put "Wind Trees", indoor?

What a better place to put "Wind Trees", than a Shopping Mall**, where a gentle breeze always circulate freely, for ventilation purpose.

Some Shopping Mall Rooftops have already been modified to accommodate Solar Panels.

So, why don't we turn our future Shopping Malls, into a 100% Green Environment, for all to enjoy?



** Any large enough Public Buildings will do, just as well!

[PoliticAverse]

37. Your post was not labeled sarcasm for the humor impaired. n/t

[Johnny Rash]

38. I'm sorry! My baaad!

I should have known; I can't pleased, everybody!

[MrMickeysMom]

34. The prototype has to wait until NEXT March?

It wasn't exactly clear. I'd rather it be March, 2015!

[Scruffy Rumbler]

35. Line the high ways with them...

Every 18 wheeler going by will spin them babies!