London’s 2012 Olympic Park Adds Vertical Axis Turbines

Seven Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Added To London’s 2012 Olympic Park

By: Timon Singh

08/04/12

The Olympic Delivery Authority has installed vertical axis wind turbines in London’s Olympic Park after plans to place a single, giant wind turbine fell through. The London 2012 Olympic Games has received some flak for not meeting its green targets and failing to be the ‘Green Olympics’ that it promised to be, but the installation of the seven qr5 turbines suggests that Olympic organizers are still attempting to meet their sustainable goals.

Vertical axis turbines work differently to conventional three blade turbine and are actually deemed to be more efficient as they don’t require power or a minimum wind speed to start. The original Olympic plans discussed the potential installation of a large wind turbine at the Stratford park site, but it never happened. Now the smaller vertical wind turbines are stepping in to fill the renewable energy void that it has left.

The seven qr5 turbines are being provided by British wind turbine manufacturer Quiet Revolution, and although there is no official statement from either the company or the Olympic Authority on their installaion, it is known that the turbines stand 18 metres tall and can provide up to 7,500 kWh of power a year.

Speaking to The Guardian, a spokesman for the Olympic Delivery Authority said that the wind turbines each cost £40,000, but are expected to pay for themselves within 12 years. “Sustainability has been designed into the project from the beginning, and as a result the ODA will significantly exceed its 50 per cent target to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction of the Olympic Park,” he said.

“These seven turbines serve a valuable dual function by providing 40 per cent of the energy for high-powered streetlights as well contributing to the overall renewable energy target. The turbines are connected to the Park’s energy supply, which feed renewable energy into the Olympic Park energy network during the day, which offsets power used by the lamp at night.”