Bahrain Three Giant Turbines / Skyscraper turned on

[Howie]

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/04/three ... ter-2.html

What you're looking at isn't a render or merely a concept of some fanciful building that'll never actually become a reality. No, what you're looking at is an actually photograph of the new Bahrain World Trade Centre, a pair of pointy skyscrapers with three propellers with 95 foot diameters between them. And this week, they activated all three turbines at the same time. Now that they're all running, they'll be providing 10-15% of the energy for both towers, which will save loads of money over the years.

[monotonehell]

Oh cool, I've been keeping an eye on this building. Wondering if they solved the vibration problem. Obviously they have!

[Shuz]

Bleurgh...

[monotonehell]

Bleurgh...

Care to elaborate on that Shuzy?

[Shuz]

That undoubtly, is the worst piece of architecture I've ever seen.

[monotonehell]

That undoubtly, is the worst piece of architecture I've ever seen.

fair enough I admit I was more interested in the turbine aspect of it.

[rev]

Is it me, or do they really not look like photos?

[monotonehell]

Is it me, or do they really not look like photos?

It's you. They're possibly too surreal for your mindset to get a grip on. If you've been to Las Vegas you will know that feeling, and I'm talking about witnessing in person, not a photo.

[Edgar]

talking about creating energy to run your own building.

Hate the architecture? But possibly, that is what people will be looking at in the future.

[urban]

That undoubtly, is the worst piece of architecture I've ever seen.

What's wrong with it?

This would look great at Glenelg instead of the pseudo sandcastles we have at the moment.

[Wayno]

if they face the turbines towards the ground we could have the worlds first hover building!

[AtD]

if they face the turbines towards the ground we could have the worlds first hover building!

Windmills do not work that way!

[Wayno]

if they face the turbines towards the ground we could have the worlds first hover building!

Windmills do not work that way!

yes, of course - how silly of me.

[duke149]

Saw a doco on this building on Foxtel a few days ago. It looks cool. Can only provide 15% of the buildings power but its a start.
The shape of the building actually tunnels wind from up to a 45 degree angle and accelerates it over the turbines.
Even though they addressed all the problems of the 'bridges' vibrating, and the blades snapping. It still seems a bit of a worry.
Apparently there is only about 3meters between the blades and the two towers. Also below the turbines is a shopping center.
I hope they got their calculations right

[AG]

Those photos don't make it obvious, but the 3 bridges linking the turbines to the towers are not straight. They are deliberately titled at a small angle away from the turbines to prevent the blades of the turbine from making contact with the bridge and damaging it when they deflect in high winds.