(Houston, TX – September 5, 2024) – Aeromine Technologies, the innovative rooftop wind energy system that converts a building’s wind flow into renewable energy, announces the installation of the UK’s first motionless wind energy system at BMW Group’s MINI manufacturing plant in Oxford, England.
Utilizing Aeromine Technologies’ innovative, low-impact technology, the system harnesses wind power to produce clean energy without visible moving parts. BMW Group’s Oxford Plant will serve as a testbed for this cutting-edge technology, assessing its potential to enhance energy efficiency across BMW Group sites around the world, as well as commercial buildings in the UK.
This new innovative energy project is part of the BMW Startup Garage, a business unit dedicated to supporting early-stage startups working on cutting-edge technologies. It focuses on testing a functional product, at least in the form of a prototype, during a pilot project and commissioning the startup as a supplier at an early stage. Rather than acting as an investor through venture capital, the BMW Startup Garage is taking on the role of a customer, a “venture client.”
“Aeromine’s partnership with BMW Group represents a pivotal step in our mission to innovate and expand the capabilities of renewable energy solutions,” said Claus Lønborg, Chief Commercial Officer, Aeromine Technologies. “Our motionless wind energy technology is designed to work seamlessly alongside solar systems, maximizing the renewable energy output from rooftops while addressing challenges like noise, vibrations, and wildlife impact. We’re excited to see how this initial installation can lead to broader applications across BMW’s global facilities.”
Aeromine’s wind energy unit is installed on the edge of a building, oriented towards the prevailing wind direction. The unit features wing-like vertical airfoils that create a vacuum effect, drawing air behind an internal propeller to generate clean electricity. Unlike traditional wind turbines, Aeromine’s bladeless design minimizes noise and vibrations, ensuring no disturbance to buildings or the surrounding environment and with minimal impact on avian wildlife. Additionally, the unit is constructed from highly durable, recyclable materials.
“BMW Group is always looking for innovative and efficient solutions in every aspect of the business. The BMW Startup Garage acts as a matchmaker between startups and different business units,” said Carmen Gargioni, Startup Lead for Real Estate Management, BMW Startup Garage. “New technologies are essential as we strive to find the most efficient solution to our requirements. This includes exciting new innovations from new players.”
The new wind energy unit is designed to complement MINI Plant Oxford’s existing solar arrays across the buildings on site. The installation on the Body Shop has been in place for ten years, and, when it was installed, was one of the largest, roof-mounted solar farms in the UK, with more than 11,000 panels covering an area the size of five football fields. The solar panels generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 850 households for a year. However, the solar panels are less effective during winter and evening hours, when wind conditions are often strongest – presenting an opportunity for Aeromine’s wind energy unit to step in and continue generating renewable energy.
“This pilot is a small but exciting project for BMW Group and complements our existing approach, to purchasing renewable electricity from the national grid,” said Urs Sambale, Regional Sustainability Steering Real Estate Europe. “We’re looking forward to seeing its potential for generating clean wind energy at BMW Group sites.”