By Brendan Rees
Wind trees that use turbine leaf-like blades to generate electricity could pave the way for the future of the City of Casey.
Deputy Mayor Cr Amanda Stapledon said council would consider purchasing the trees to power the outdoor screen, lighting, and water fountain at Bunjil Place.
The steel structured trees, which stand just above nine metres tall, comprise of 54 aero leaves—essentially micro wind turbines—which work at speeds as low as 4.5 miles per hour, regardless of the wind’s direction.
Each tree weighs two and half tonnes and generates 5,400 watts through turbine leave-like blades that spin on a vertical-axis without the need for belts or gears.
Cr Stapledon said the cost for one tree was just over $71,000 but would pay for itself within three years.
“They tick a number of boxes. That actually are an energy source,” she said.
“It doesn’t have any impact on people. It is very, very effective and it actually captures all types of wind.”
Cr Stapledon said the trees were more than just being a renewable power source.
“It’s also a wonderful piece of art, very attractive and they add to the visibility that we have already at Bunjil Place,” she said.
Casey councillors voted at their meeting on 6 March to investigate the efficiency of the wind trees and whether to buy them for the outdoor community space at Bunjil Place.
President of the Tooradin Business Association, Marlene Hargreaves said residents of Tooradin would also explore the idea of installing wind trees.
“Our newsletter helps bring people forward into the future and the wind tree was one of those things,” she said.
“It all looks like a very exciting idea that kind of fits in with the smart technology down at Bunjil.”
Ms Hargreaves said the trees were not only an alternative power source but would also boost tourism in Tooradin.
“Many projects like it that help resolve high energy prices and create interest in the area.”
“Wind trees in Tooradin would be something we would like to see happen in the future as part of tourism attraction and eco-tourism attraction,” she said.
Cr Damien Rosario was also impressed with the concept.
“I fully support this. It’s so simple. I don’t know how much power that screen uses outside (at Bunjil Place) but something like this that could power that and some of the other aspects are fantastic,” he said.
A report will come back to council in May.
