The iconic landmark Eiffel Tower has gone green for the first time as part of the major renovation and upgrade program initiated by City of Paris Climate Plan.
Urban Green Energy (UGE) International, a New York based company has completed the installation of two Vision AIR5 wind turbines about 400 feet up on the tower, above the second level.
The two wind turbines will jointly produce 10,000 KWh of electricity annually, enough to power the tower’s first floor.
City of Paris Climate Plan is funding the entire €30 million cost of the renovation marking the structure’s 125th birthday.
With an aim to reduce the ecological footprint, the renovators also installed roof-mounted solar panels, which will meet 50 percent of the water heating needs of two visitor pavilions.
In addition, old traditional lights were replaced with new LED lighting series.
Other sustainable additions included a rainwater collection system and high-power heat pumps.
The Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE) who is managing the renovation program wants to reduce the tower’s environmental impact by 25 percent as part of the City of Paris Climate Plan.
“The Eiffel Tower is arguably the most renowned architectural icon in the world, and we are proud that our advanced technology was chosen as the Tower commits to a more sustainable future,” said Nick Blitterswyk, CEO, UGE International. “When visitors from around the world see the wind turbines, we get one step closer to a world powered by clean and reliable renewable energy.”
The turbines have been specially painted so as to match with the surrounding ambience and blend in with the tower, producing virtually no sound.
Besides, they are situated within the lattice structure, a perfect location that will maximum utilize the steady winds that blow through the tower at the height of the second level.
The company hired special installation team to climb all the way through the tower’s intricate structure to assemble one turbine component at a time, without obstructing the view for visitors.
UGE which specializes in vertical axis wind turbines has projects in over 90 countries and has installed wind turbines at the Philadelphia Eagles stadium and on the tallest building in Brooklyn.
France’s most recognizable structure, the iron Eiffel Tower was erected in 1889.
The European Union is heading towards releasing of emission reduction plan with an aim to tackle global warming.
Sabeena Wahid
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