Vattenfall, one of Europe’s largest energy companies, based in Stockholm, has transformed an old wind turbine into a fully functional and efficient mini-house. The house includes a heat pump, solar panels and a solar water heater, promoting energy efficiency.
Mini-house made from a wind turbine
The energy company Waterfallin collaboration with design studio Superuse, showcased an innovative tiny home at this year's Dutch Design Week. This project is a pioneering example of how the circular economy and sustainability can be integrated into everyday life.
A specific section of the turbine was used, the nacelle, or central cabin of the wind turbine. This module was then carefully dismantled after completing its life cycle in Austria, where it operated for more than two decades.
Com 4 meters wide, 10 meters long and 3 meters highthis industrial component was transformed into a fully functional dwelling.
The house includes a kitchen, a bathroom and a living room, all integrated into the limited space of the old central cabin. Furthermore, it has advanced technological features, such as a heat pump, solar panels and a solar water heater, reinforcing its commitment to energy efficiency and reducing emissions.
It is project demonstrates how wind turbine components can be given a second life at the end of their operational cyclereducing the need for new materials and minimizing the environmental impact of their disposal.
By recycling and reusing these components, Vattenfall not only extends the life of valuable materials, but also offers a more environmentally friendly solution to the challenges associated with dismantling these infrastructures.
Wind turbine: sustainable design challenges
The process of converting the nacelle into a house was a challenge for both design studio Superuse and construction company Blade-Made, as they had to work in a confined space while simultaneously complying with building regulations.
Despite these constraints, the end result is a compact but comfortable homewhich sets a new standard for sustainable living in small spaces.
Thousands of similar turbines are waiting to be decommissioned around the world. This project demonstrates the immense potential for reusing these structures and creating sustainable communities.
Said Jos de Krieger, partner at Superuse and Blade-Made, emphasizing that this concept has significant scalability potential.
Interior design, circular economy and efficient energy consumption
The interior of the house was furnished by Reliving, a platform that facilitates the buying and selling of second-hand and vintage furniture.
By using recycled and sustainable materials, Reliving has created a welcoming environment that integrates seamlessly with the nacelle's unique architecture.
This collaboration between Vattenfall and Reliving highlights the importance of circularity not only in construction, but also in interior design, promoting a more conscious and environmentally responsible lifestyle.
Mention those responsible for the project.
The house is equipped with 4 solar panels on the roof with a maximum power of 1800 watts. Together, they generate enough energy for the house.
Each panel has its own microinverter for 230V AC voltage. This way, the panels work independently of each other. If a panel fails, electricity will continue to be produced.
Another advantage is the fact that a large inverter is not required. Great, because the space is already “small”.
Taking a shower, washing clothes, washing dishes... 50 liters of hot water is always enough.
Not all of the energy from solar panels is used immediately. With the solar boiler, solar energy is used to produce hot water. The installation consists of an electric boiler and solar energy distributor.
This distributor ensures that surplus solar energy is not returned to the grid, but stored in the boiler.
Heating and cooling with air-to-air heat pump
This is often called air conditioning, but in reality it is just a heat pump. This can keep the solar-powered home pleasantly warm. Even with an external temperature of at least -15 °C.
An air-to-air heat pump is also a sustainable solution for cooling and heating normal homes.
As the house is very well insulated, ventilation is very important. In heat recovery ventilation (WTW), used air is extracted and exactly the same amount of fresh air is returned.
The cool air outside is preheated by the warm air in the house. In the house, a decentralized heat recovery system was used.
This is applied per room and avoids installing large air ducts, which is often a major job.
Charging an electric or hybrid car
A home charging point of this type doesn't need to be big and flashy. Vattenfall's new compact home charging points are small and powerful, with a charging capacity of up to 22 kW.
In the fan house, we go a little slower and the charging point is limited to 11kW.
By insulating the nacelle, all seams are closed, creating a nearly airtight construction. In this way, the air exchange system can work optimally with the decentralized heat recovery system.
As the gondola has few large windows, the architects opted for HR++ glass. Triple glazing has a higher insulation value.
This tiny house project is just one of the many innovative concepts Vattenfall showcased during Dutch Design Week. Other projects include floating islands made from turbine blades and the creation of art installations that visualize data generated by wind turbines.
These initiatives underline Vattenfall's commitment to a more sustainable future and serve as inspiration for other companies and sectors to adopt circular economy principles.
The reuse of wind turbines is not just limited to housing. Vattenfall is also exploring the possibility of transforming other turbine components, such as blades, into new designs. The shovels, although difficult to recycle due to the composite materials they are made from, are being considered for use in building bridges, playgrounds or even as key pieces in innovative architectural structures.
Source: pplware.sapo.pt
