The Eiffel Tower just installed wind turbines for renewable energy

Paris just made a bold step in reducing its carbon footprint. A New York design company, UGE, just installed a pair of wind turbines in the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous historic landmarks in the world, and now it’s capable of harnessing clean energy. The quiet twin turbines are nestled above the second level of the tower. Their brushed metal matches the rest of the tower, and they don’t obstruct the architecture.

There are other new eco-friendly changes to the Eiffel Tower. A rainwater recovery system has been installed. The recycled rainwater will be used in to run the toilets. Incandescent bulbs have been done away with and replaced by LED lights. UGE installed solar panels on the roof of the adjacent visitor pavilion.

Renewable energy already powers the Eiffel Tower, and these wind turbines aren’t powerful. They will only generate 10,000 kWh per year. That’s about the amount of electricity it takes to power a single home.

The tower’s redesign isn’t about the impact of these specific wind turbines. It’s emblematic of a movement that the city of Paris wants to personify. Paris has a citywide goal to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions. Their somewhat lofty goal is 25% cut by 2020 and a 75% cut by 2050. By changing the iconic Eiffel Tower to be in line with these goals, France projects a new, environmentally conscious image of Paris to the world.

Source: Slate