Building-Integrated Wind Arrives at Logan International Airport

By Michael Wilmeth

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) installed 20 one-kW architectural wind turbines atop the Logan International Airport Office Center in March 2008. AeroVironment of Monrovia, California, manufactures the 6.5-foot diameter, five-bladed turbines, which can work at wind speeds as low as 5 mph and are engineered to withstand 120-mph gales.

Photo © AeroVironment, Inc.

Logan Airport’s installation of 20 of AeroVironment’s wind turbines makes a strong visual statement and offsets a portion of the facility's energy consumption.

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The AVX1000 turbines, mounted along the parapet, take advantage of the acceleration of wind currents as they encounter the face of the building and flow over its roof, which can result in 50% greater power generation than would be possible at a comparable elevation in the absence of the building’s aerodynamic qualities.

Massport is considering installation of more of the design-award-winning turbines on its waterfront buildings, pending evaluation of their performance over the next several months. Massport expects a payback period of 12–13 years.

This article was produced by BuildingGreen, LLC.- www.buildinggreen.com

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