Wind turbine for the roof

The Hanover-based startup “Njordvind” is poised to launch a wind turbine designed for homes in both urban and rural areas, as well as on the roofs of businesses. The mini wind turbine is inspired by the large wind turbines with three blades that stand in fields in rural areas.

To give people with limited space the opportunity to convert wind energy into electricity, the four young startup members developed the vertical wind turbine. It is made up of up to 70 percent natural materials, making it easier to dispose of and recycle later on. Measuring just 1.50 to 2.50 meters in height and weighing 20 or 70 kilograms, the vertical wind turbine is ideally suited for home use. Based on the expected wind conditions in Hanover, calculations show that the small version of the device should generate up to 1,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity, while the large version should generate up to 4,500 kilowatt-hours—enough to meet the annual electricity needs of four people.

Other advantages of the small wind turbine are said to include minimal shadow casting and low noise levels. This makes the turbine particularly attractive for urban areas. The turbine is said to pose no danger to birds.

To install such a wind turbine on a roof in Lower Saxony, a simplified building permit is required; in industrial and commercial zones, no permit is needed provided the wind turbine is no more than two meters tall and does not extend more than 15 meters above the ground.
Production is being prepared at the company’s headquarters in the Vinnhorst district, and the housings and turbines are also to be manufactured there. The team aims to be fully ready for launch and sales next year.