Technology continually reveals new paths to clean energy. While wind, solar, and hydro power are the most familiar renewables, cities around the world are embracing other steady options. A notable development already in operation in places like Turkey is a wind turbine designed for urban use. It taps into the air moved by passing vehicles to generate electricity.
A Turkish company named Deveci Tech has introduced a vertical turbine for city environments called Enlil. This turbine converts the kinetic energy of moving air into electrical energy, with each unit producing about 1 kW per hour.
Designed to sit near busy roadways, the Enlil turbine can also be placed at other wind-prone sites. A row of solar panels sits atop the unit, adding an additional 1 kW of energy per hour and providing a hybrid approach that blends wind and solar capture in a compact footprint.
Several Enlil turbines on public roads Enlil
Enlil is a versatile wind turbine, though it is optimized for static mounting between vehicle lanes. The design is simple and compact, enabling removal and installation in minutes. In essence, it remains a wind turbine, but it is optimized to harness the air generated by nearby traffic flows.
Beyond energy generation, the system includes multiple sensors that collect traffic information for management, monitor CO2 levels, detect earthquakes, serve as a communication node for autonomous driving systems, and provide WiFi connectivity. This makes it more than a renewable energy source; it functions as a key data collection hub for urban environments.
The concept is spreading through Istanbul, with plans to deploy the turbine in additional European cities. The installation of such equipment could enhance city connectivity, intelligence, and safety—especially in areas prone to seismic activity and high traffic volumes.
In addition to producing energy, the turbines contribute to carbon dioxide concentration maps, enabling quick and practical measurements that support environmental monitoring and air quality assessment across downtown cores and transit corridors.
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