As the world continues to seek green energy sources, Spanish researchers say they have discovered the potential to get more bang for your buck from a commonly utilized household item: HVAC systems.
According to Interesting Engineering, scientists at the Distance University of Madrid "investigated the possibility of efficiently utilizing the airflows generated by" HVAC systems "as a man-made wind resource."
The group studied three HPC-M HVAC units on the roof of a data center, with two in operation at all times, each with eight fans. From those units and presumably with the benefit of additional power generated from natural wind, they were able to generate an estimated 513.82 megawatt-hours annually, with each turbine producing an estimated 85.64 MWh.
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To translate those numbers: The energy generated by the HVAC systems and wind flow is more than those systems use in a given year. According to Interesting Engineering, the fans on the units consume 336.9 MWh of power annually. After accounting for a 9% loss of power due to maintenance and other concerns, you have an excess of power of 131.2 MWh that can be sent back into the grid.
In other words, the group discovered a location for small wind turbines that not only fully powers an HVAC system's fans but also has enough leftover energy to power a house for just over four months.
According to the researchers, installation is relatively inexpensive, and the technology begins to fully turn a profit within three years. It's scalable and can easily be installed on HVACs around the globe.
Wind technology is booming right now, with advancements coming across the globe. In April 2024, wind produced more energy than coal plants for the first time ever in the United States. A new wind farm in the Shetland Islands hopes to provide 500,000 homes access to clean energy. And the U.S. Department of Energy announced grants for 20 cities to implement clean energy solutions like wind, worth $18.5 million.
But as this discovery shows, even at smaller scales, wind power has a bright future as we push toward a cleaner planet.
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