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Product innovation: The winds of change

XCO2 has released the Quiet Revolution 6 kW wind turbine, which it claims is quieter and vibrates less than traditional wind turbines. Unlike the latter, which rotate horizontally, the QR rotates vertically and has three long carbon-fibre blades connected to the vertical axis.

XCO2 claims the design performs more efficiently as it does not have to keep changing direction with the wind as a traditional turbine would. This decreases vibrations and cuts down on aerodynamic noise.

The rotating section is 5 m high and 3.1 m in diameter, and is designed to work up to a maximum wind speed of 16 m/s.

The turning of the turbine drives the 6 kW generator and creates electricity in the same way as a traditional turbine. QR can be mounted on either a 5-10 m high tower or a roof, and will produce a claimed 6000 kW/h per year in a low wind site and more than 12,000 kW/h per year in a good wind site. The company says the product can last for 20 years.

The QuietRevolution is also available in a version fitted with a series of LEDs in the blades. According to XC02 these can be programmed to light up in sequence as the turbine rotates and be used as an illuminated display for artwork or advertising.

The design is currently in pre-production and will undergo final assessment before the first commercial installations in winter 2005. Planning permission has already been given for developments on London鈥檚 Southwark Bridge Road, commencing in December 2005, and one at Temple Meads Roundabout in Bristol, starting in January 2006.

XCO2

Walk on Brise Soleil

Levolux has launched a brise soleil that it claims is strong enough to support a person鈥檚 weight. The Walk On Brise Soleil is made of 鈥淛鈥�-shaped units that are installed across a wall and supported by either cantilevering or other structures. Non-slip tops are installed between the units to make a platform that Levolux claims can support a person鈥檚 weight. This can be used for jobs such as external maintenance and window cleaning.

Levolux

Movers and makers

• Heavy-duty sheet vinyl flooring from Polyflor has been given an 鈥淎鈥� rating under the BRE鈥檚 Green Guide to Specification scheme. The Polyflor Standard XL 2 mm and Mystique PUR 2 mm meet the BRE鈥檚 standards for environmental performance. Polyflor says the reason for the 鈥淎鈥� rating is the inclusion of a layer of polyurethane, called Mystique PUR. This enables the flooring to be maintained without polish, which reduces the need for chemical cleaner.
• Atkins Water has issued new best practice guidance to promote water conservation and drainage. The Atkins recommendations include promoting low-flush WCs, cutting external water use by planting drought-tolerant plants and using showers that set a maximum rate of water flow.
• Nigel Carter and Larraine Wilde have written a book to explain the process behind environmental assessment and environmental due diligence. The book is called Environmental Due Diligence 鈥� The Role of ISO 14015 in the Environmental Assessment of Sites and Organizations and is published by BSI Business Information.
• CIRIA Books has launched the second version of its Environmental Good Practice On Site handbook (C650) to update its 1999 edition (C502), and a companion Environmental Good Practice pocket book (C651). This update, edited by Philip Charles and Samantha Connolly, was funded by the CIRIA Core Programme and the Environment Agency.
• The UK cement industry is to develop a new code that will include standards on sustainability. The cement maker鈥檚 code will have sections on local communities, product quality and management systems. A cement taskforce also announced an industry-wide strategy to cut carbon emissions, which will include greater use of cement waste as fuels, improved kiln efficiency and in the long term the development of hybrid-cement energy facilities to generate electricity. The taskforce is also to introduce an annual industry corporate responsibility report.