+++ The UK’s first “motionless” wind energy system has been installed
on the roof of BMW Group’s Oxford Plant +++ It’s part of a BMW Group
project trialling innovative technology for efficient energy solutions
+++ This BMW Group Real Estate pilot is spearheaded by BMW Startup
Garage, a programme dedicated to supporting early-stage startups
working on innovative technologies +++
Munich. BMW Group today announced the installation of
the UK’s first “motionless” wind energy system at the MINI
manufacturing plant in Oxford. Utilising Aeromine
Technologies’ innovative, low-impact technology, the system
harnesses wind power to produce clean energy without visible moving
parts. BMW Group’s Oxford Plant will serve as a testbed for this
cutting-edge technology, assessing its potential to enhance energy
efficiency across BMW Group sites around the world, as well as
commercial buildings in the UK.
This new innovative energy project is part of the BMW Startup Garage, a
business unit dedicated to supporting early-stage startups working on
cutting-edge technologies. It focuses on testing a functional product,
at least in the form of a prototype, during a pilot project and
commissioning the startup as a supplier at an early stage. Rather than
acting as an investor through venture capital, the BMW Startup Garage
is taking on the role of a customer, a “venture client”.
Aeromine Technologies has designed the wind energy unit, which is
installed on the edge of a building, oriented towards the prevailing
wind. The unit features wing-like vertical airfoils that create a
vacuum effect, drawing air behind an internal propeller to generate
clean electricity. Unlike traditional wind turbines, Aeromine’s
bladeless design minimises noise and vibrations, ensuring no
disturbance to buildings or the surrounding environment and with
minimal impact on avian wildlife. Additionally, the unit is
constructed from highly durable, recyclable materials, helping support
BMW Group’s commitment to put sustainability at the centre of its
strategic direction.
Carmen Gargioni, Team Lead Innovation at BMW Group Real Estate
Management, said: “BMW Group is always looking for innovative
and efficient solutions in every aspect of the business. The BMW
Startup Garage acts as a matchmaker between startups and different
business units. New technologies are essential as we strive to find
the most efficient solution to our requirements. This includes
exciting innovations from new players.”
The new wind energy unit is designed to complement MINI Plant
Oxford’s existing solar arrays across the buildings on site. The
installation on the Body Shop has been in place for ten years and,
when it was installed, was one of the largest roof-mounted solar farms
in the UK with more than 11,000 panels covering an area the size of
five football pitches. The solar panels generate enough electricity to
power the equivalent of 850 households for a year. However, the solar
panels are less effective during winter and evening hours, when wind
conditions are often strongest – presenting an opportunity for
Aeromine’s wind energy unit to step in and continue generating
renewable energy.
Urs Sambale, Project Manager for Sustainability Steering at
BMW Group Real Estate Europe, said: “This pilot is a small
but exciting project for BMW Group and complements our existing
approach to purchasing renewable electricity from the national grid.
We’re looking forward to seeing its potential for generating clean
wind energy at BMW Group sites.”
Claus Lønborg, Managing Director, Aeromine Technologies
Inc., said:
“Aeromine’s partnership with BMW Group represents a pivotal step in
our mission to innovate and expand the capabilities of renewable
energy solutions. Our “motionless” wind energy technology is designed
to work seamlessly alongside solar systems, maximising the renewable
energy output from rooftops while helping address challenges like
noise, vibrations, and wildlife impact. We’re excited to see how this
initial installation can lead to broader applications across BMW’s
global facilities.”
The BMW Group has set itself clear targets for CO2 reduction up to
2030 throughout the entire lifecycle – from the supply chain, through
production, to the end of the use phase – and is constantly seeking
new ways to cut emissions including by exploring new innovations.
About the BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW
Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and
motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services.
The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites
worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and
more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the
financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to €155.5
billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of
154,950 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the
future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and
efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from
the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.
For more information visit www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
About the BMW Startup Garage
The BMW Startup Garage is the venture client unit of the BMW Group.
It engages annually with over 1,000 startups across approximately 30
countries, seeking innovations that provide significant benefits to
BMW Group’s products, services, systems, and processes. This ensures
early access to innovations, allowing BMW to shape them before they
reach market readiness. Simultaneously, startups gain valuable
insights into automotive processes, build networks within the company,
and receive support in developing their business plans. The program
aims to evaluate startups and enable them as long-term partners for
the BMW Group, thereby strengthening the company’s leadership in
innovation. The Startup Garage is represented worldwide at all BMW
Tech Office locations: Munich, Mountain View, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo,
and since 2020, Tel Aviv.
About Aeromine Technologies
Aeromine Technologies has developed a breakthrough scalable renewable
energy solution that harnesses the power of wind in an efficient
system. Aeromine units install on the edge of the building roof, they
are “motionless”, vibration- and noise- less. System installations are
typically 50 kW or larger. The solution is robust, long-lasting, and
requires much less rooftop space than other options to generate
distributed energy. Ideal for large, flat rooftop buildings –
including warehouses, big box retailers, data centers, office, and
apartment buildings – Aeromine leverages existing financial
structures, installation resources and incentives established by the
solar industry.
www.aerominetechnologies.com Video:
Drone footage DJI_0138.MP4
