The listed energy company EnergyVision wants to invest more in wind turbines to complement its solar panels. EnergyVision is a Belgian energy company that supplies 100% green, locally produced electricity, primarily from solar installations installed for households and businesses in Belgium.
In addition to solar panels and EV charging solutions, EnergyVision is now testing small rooftop wind turbines for households. Specifically, they are experimenting with a compact vertical-axis turbine called the Blade X1, developed by the Dutch start-up Cell Technologies.
Small-scale use
Blade X1 is designed for residential or small-scale use: it can be mounted on flat roofs, façades, or in gardens. The device is around 1.40 meters tall and 60 cm in diameter, with ten small blades that can capture wind from any direction.
The blades’ rotation is mechanically linked to the generator via a gearing system, allowing it to be driven efficiently. It’s claimed to generate between 2,500 and 3,000 kWh per year — enough, in theory, to cover a significant portion or all of a typical household’s electricity use.
It’s nearly silent and more compact than traditional horizontal turbines. Its energy yield will naturally be limited due to its small size — it’s meant to supplement, not replace, solar panels or grid power.
A solution that makes sense
Small wind turbines can be a viable option under specific conditions. For instance, they must be installed at a sufficient height: wind speed typically increases with height, so the higher and steadier the wind, the better the yield.
In urban areas and built environments, wind is often turbulent and obstructed, and wind speeds are often too low for good returns. For most homes in Belgium or the Netherlands, solar panels remain the most cost-effective option.
EnergyVision says it’ll roll out such systems more broadly only if performance and cost-effectiveness are proven. The idea is to complement solar energy, especially during winter when sunlight is limited.
EPC activities under pressure
EnergyVision continued to grow its revenue in the third quarter. Group revenue in the first nine months of this year was 49 percent higher than a year earlier: €93.3 million compared to €62.5 million.
Growth is supported by the integration of wind energy into the portfolio and the start-up of supplier activities in Wallonia. According to CEO and co-founder Maarten Michielssens, the goal is to quickly scale up wind operations, targeting 40 megawatts in the coming year.
What is under pressure, however, are the EPC activities: the development and construction of solar panels by third parties. Due to the low injection rates and the lack of urgency during the energy crisis, households and businesses have become hesitant to install solar panels.
