Solar and Wind are two popular forms of alternate energy, for residential use. Both are critical to a climate-friendly future. In Pakistan, many homeowners and businesses have either installed solar panels to capture the sun energy or windmills to harvest energy from the wind at rooftops. Some have even installed both, but the generation work separately in a Hybrid Wind and Solar Power System. However, recently a French startup Unéole has created a one-of-a-kind invention, the Solar-Wind Energy Cubicle, which combines both wind turbines and solar panels together to work in a single integrated energy system. The invention is cubicle in shape, customized for apartments and buildings, and will boost the electricity generation by twofold compared to conventional alternate energy module.
The Solar-Wind Energy Cubicle:
As the race to build renewables heats up, companies are looking to create innovative solutions that harness as much energy as possible. However, the new integrated and innovative energy system from French startup Unéole is a phenomenal development and likely to take lead in this global race. It is unique in terms of efficiency and structure, which combines small vertical wind turbines with a platform covered in solar cells.
Solar and wind naturally well complement each other: solar panels produce electricity during the day, while wind turbines typically generate the most power at night. Used together, they can balance each other during different seasons. For example, wind turbines generate more energy during the winter, while solar panels reach peak production during the summer.
Design & Efficiency of Solar-Wind Energy Cubicles:
By design, the power plant consists of vertical turbines 2.7 meters high integrated with photovoltaic rooftops. This hybrid system provides power 24/7, regardless of wind or solar conditions. The turbine has three blades that rotate around a central axis, and the solar panels are integrated onto the structure above the turbine’s blades.
Specifically adapted to city buildings, the proposed mechanism comprises wind turbines covered with a photovoltaic panel to maximize energy production by twofold, compared to a single solar or wind solution. Indeed, pairing two renewable power sources gives the possibility to alternate between them depending on weather conditions. As photovoltaic efficiency relies on solar radiation, wind turbines can take over at night or during winter when radiations are usually weak, making them the ideal complement.
Environmental Benefits:
The Cubicles, where solar and wind are combined in one energy system are unique invention. At present, a test device has been installed for some time in Pas-de-Calais, France and the company says it’s production phase is approaching given the results. The use of this solar-wind energy system in apartments and buildings, as mentioned, can increase energy production by up to twofold or 40% more.
It is the most efficient way of using renewables and ensuring a constant power supply since two sources provide more hours of generation than a standalone solar and wind system. Besides it is environmental friendly system because both wind and solar systems are clean sources of energy.
By
Editorial, Infocus
