The turbine slows slightly when a gust changes direction, then resumes rotation without needing to reorient itself. It has no aiming system, emits no perceptible vibrations, and does not disturb the flight of birds. It is mounted on a highway lamppost, where traffic generates continuous but irregular air currents. PhileoleThis is how it works: it captures winds from any direction, starting at just 2 meters per second. It's like a reliable colleague who always shows up, even when conditions aren't ideal. The startup that designed it promises a 30-year lifespan and 75% biodegradable materials. Urban wind power is making its way between lampposts.
When urban wind becomes energy
In Italy wind power reached 13.356 MW of installed power as of August 2025, with a growth of 32% compared to the previous year. But 94% of this energy is produced in the South, in large wind farms far from cities. Urban wind power remains marginal: blades are too large, too noisy, and winds are erratic.
Traditional horizontal-axis turbines require sustained gusts and large surfaces, rare conditions in urban environments where wind comes from unpredictable directions.
Belgian startup Philéole tries to change perspective with Savonius type mini vertical turbines operating at 2 meters per second. Compact design, 75% biodegradable materials, no orientation system required. A Savonius turbine, invented by Finnish engineer Sigurd Savonius in 1922, exploits aerodynamic resistance with S-shaped blades that catch the wind regardless of direction. Researchers at the University of Vaasa They studied how to improve their efficiency by 8% in urban contexts, where turbulence is constant.
Boats, streetlights, and highways: where it works
Philéole began in the nautical sector. The "Grain Blanc" version weighs 10 kg, measures 110 cm in height and 45 cm in diameter, and can withstand winds of up to 130 km/h. On a 12-meter sailboat crossing the European Atlantic, covers the daily electricity requirement of 626 watt hours: lights, radar, VHF, GPS, on-board computer. Without diesel generators. According to the startup's data, this translates into over 1.400 hours of navigation per year zero emissions. The maximum power coefficient reaches 0,30 at winds of 16 m/s.
Urban applications include smart streetlights and public lighting. A Philéole turbine installed on a street pole ensures autonomous power supply even during power outages.
On highways, where vehicular traffic generates constant air currents, the startup estimates up to 7.000 hours of exploitable wind per yearThe movement of vehicles creates air flows that compact turbines like these can convert into secondary but continuous energy.
Urban wind energy: sustainable materials and low maintenance
Approximately 75% of the materials used by Philéole are biodegradable and 100% recyclable. The blades are made from corn starch, recycled polypropylene, or natural fibers. They do not generate toxic waste and are easily removable for maintenance or replacement. The aluminum frame keeps the weight low, making it easy to install on existing structures. Italian studies on mini wind power confirm that Savonius turbines, despite having a lower efficiency than traditional blades (power coefficient around 0,25), compensate with low production costs and reduced maintenance.
The turbine is silent and vibration-free. According to the startup, this eliminates the impact on birds, a frequent problem with conventional wind farms where rotating blades alter flight trajectories and wildlife habits. The modular design allows for quick attachment to any vertical structure: boat masts, street poles, building roofs. No complex anchoring systems, no special foundations.
Economic return and the Italian context
With an average power of 300 watts in optimal conditions and an estimated lifespan of over 30 years, Philéole promises a return on investment in about 10 yearsThe calculation is based on an average of 4.000 hours of useful wind per year. For comparison, other urban wind energy solutions like the designer Wind Fence fences Joe doucet They generate 2.200 kWh per year with eight helical blades, enough to cover part of the domestic needs but still requiring multiple installations.
In Italy the renewable energy sector faces authorization delays Significant: Of the 2.109 projects launched since 2015, 80% remain under technical review. Legambiente highlights that regions such as Valle d'Aosta, Molise, Calabria, and Sardinia they risk delays of between 20 and 45 years compared to the 2030 objectives. Urban mini-turbines could bypass some of the red tape by installing on existing infrastructure without requiring complex new wind farm permits.
Urban vertical wind power won't replace the large wind farms that supply gigawatts to the national grid. But it can become a widespread component of distributed energy generation: every streetlight, every boat, every building that generates part of its own energy reduces the load on the grid. Regenerative cities that integrate renewable energy into urban architecture become more resilient and less dependent on centralized infrastructure.
Urban wind energy: low demands, maximum yield
Philéole has obtained the recognition Solar Impulse Efficient Solution, a brand that certifies innovative solutions with a positive environmental impact and economic feasibility. The Belgian team led by Jean-Luc Bodart, Maxime Halot e Maurine Diercxsens focuses on a circular economy model: production in Belgium with exclusively recycled and recyclable materials, 95% recyclability rate.
Urban vertical turbines aren't as efficient as the 100-meter-high horizontal blades installed on hilltops. But they work where those can't. They transform the weak and erratic winds of cities into a resource, rather than ignoring them.
As long as a 300-watt turbine keeps a boat's battery charged or powers a streetlight without burning diesel, it's doing its job. It doesn't pretend to save the world, just to make better use of the wind that's already blowing.
