One of the world’s most recognizable historical landmarks now has a visible symbol to signify its decidedly progressive view of the future. As part of a five-year, $38-million renovation that included a goal of reducing its ecological footprint, the Eiffel Tower has installed wind turbines 400 feet above ground to power the commercial areas of the tower’s first floor.
Solar panels, LED lights, high performance heat pumps, and rainwater collection systems are also saving energy, but it’s the spinning turbines positioned above the second level to capture wind from any direction and maximize energy production that are making a statement for all to see.
While the result is clearly 21st century, the actual installation of two vertical axis wind turbines set to produce 10,000 kilowatts hours of electricity per year (enough to power the commercial areas of the tower's first floor), was done the old-fashioned way, using ropes, winches, and pulleys.