Almost exactly a year ago, we published a post about the authorities in Paris contemplating wind turbine installations around the city in order to provide clean energy to the city's many inhabitatants. Paris has average wind speeds reaching about 22 km/h (6 m/s). Since actions speak louder than words, Paris now has two wind turbines installed withing its limits, both expected to generate enough clean electricity for up to 12 average Parisian households. Not a lot, but this is just the beginning of a larger renewable energy effort in the city, which is to include more wind energy, solar energy, but also geothermal energy and hydroenergy from the Seine river.
Two wind turbines on La Maison de l'Air (Air Museum).
According to an article on Reuters, the city officials are trying to set an example to Europe, and the rest of the world, of how a big city can go green. The turbines have been officially put into operation at the Belleville hill in Paris. Generated electricity will power the museum for up to six years, while the authorities will be using this project to assess whether to proceed with large scale adoption of this model for other parts of the city. The small wind turbines (1.6 meters) have been supplied by Elena Energie. The goal is to reach 30% renewable energy derived electricity for state-owned facilities, and 25% for private owners by 2020. Not everyone is happy with the new wind turbines though – some locals are compaining the machines are spoiling the picturesque city scape, and have been installed without consultation of warning.
Paris is not alone in its clean energy effort. Other major cities, like London, have also installed wind turbines, on the outskirts of the city though. London is hosting the 2012 Olympics, so another big turbine will be installed especially for this occasion.
Other clean energy initiatives in Paris include solar panels, planned to reach coverage of about 200,000 square meters by 2014. Only a few thousand square meters have been covered so far though.
[Image: Elena Energie]
