‘Air Tree’ Structures in Madrid produce Oxygen and Energy

[Ichingcarpenter]

The city of Madrid soon plans to add a striking new structure that will “climatically transform” its urban architecture. Designed by Urban Ecosystems, the Air Tree pavilion is to be built from recycled materials and will be 100% energy self-sufficient. Using photovoltaic cells, the Air Tree produces a substantial amount of energy, which is then sold back to the local electric companies, the profits being used for maintenance of the structure. The second byproduct is of course oxygen - hence the name ‘Air Tree’!


More here: http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/01/24/stunning-air-trees-only-byproducts-are-h2o-energy/?=rssfeed

[GliderGuider]

1. Now that is a seriously cool idea.

What a great addition to the urban landscape.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. Spain is light years ahead of the US in solar, wind and tidal energy

I think it is a nice idea for an urban landscape also, but doubt it would fly in the US
right now, maybe in 10 years we could see something like that.

[GliderGuider]

3. In 10 years

You may not be able to afford them.

I was in Spain a year ago, and took the train up from Granada to Madrid, right through Don Quixote country. Out one side of the train I saw the round, squat stone windmills that Don Quixote tilted at. Out the other side were ridge lines full of gleaming wind turbines. It was a breathtaking contrast.

[roguevalley]

9. its beautiful too.

[IndyOp]

10. Roguevalley - Should there be a sarcasm tag on this post? Maybe you didn't

think it would be necessary?

:shrug:

:hi:

[Trillo]

4. What about water requirements?

Also, fertilizer, and rust, the nemesis of iron?

Seems like a promising idea, but the article is a bit short on details.

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. Every where I read says it is 100% self sufficient

I believe also the design is a moisture catcher and by using plants
that require little moisture this could be achieved.

[Trillo]

6. One of the survival strategies of eucalyptus (drought tolerant)

is to capture moisture in the air, and the leaves drip it onto the root's below. Perhaps other plants have similar moisture strategies.

What does 100% self sufficient mean? That the excess energy created by the photocells is sold to pay for the other inputs? The design is somewhat like a water-based cooling tower, but instead is naturally based. I imagine on a hot and sunny day, it would be pleasant to be on the shaded ground below, especially if the chosen plants transpire significant amounts of moisture.

I wonder if food crops could be grown. That could be a real boon for farmland dependent urban populations.

[Canuckistanian]

7. Now THIS is the kind of thinking we'll need for the future

This is quite a complex concept. I'll post more about it.

[Canuckistanian]

8. "it's Ugly" - A revelation about this structure from the comments section...

Jesse Says:
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January 25th, 2008 at 1:06 am

Hi Kids,

I know you think the above structure is ugly, and I did too at first, but with a little more research I realized what their intentions were. I thought, why would they plant a LOT of trees in an area that won’t allow them to grow large and more beneficial? Then I realized, those are vines. I did more research from the links in this article, and those are all vines. Eventually, the entire structure will be covered in plant. The surrounding land has young trees, that will one day be large, but it takes trees so much longer. This structure, will be a frame for the vines until it has covered the whole thing, at which point they will remove as much of the industrial material that is safely possible, leaving a large pavilion made of vine. It’s entirely possible to support itself, especially if they chose a vine like Wisteria, which develops a thick trunk from what was once vines.