Energy Plant project

The Energy Plant project is part of the Energy Club. A team of students designed and built a more than five metres tall windpowered fountain, officially opened by former environment minister, Jacqueline Cramer, on 17 March 2010 in the Mekelpark, the campus at TU Delft. Aim: to inspire students and to motivate them to contribute actively to innovation in sustainable energy technology.

How it works

The Energy Plant is a dynamic statue combining a wind turbine and a fountain via a hydraulic transmission. The Energy Plant captures energy from the wind via a 2m diameter and 6 bladed wind turbine. With the rotation of the blades, the system drives an impeller pump. The pump builds up a pressure inside a pressure vessel, which is below the water level. When the pressure is high enough, an electronic valve will open, thereby creating a pulsating fountain.

The Energy Plant’s design is inspired by the water lily. But not just because that's a pretty flower. The flower shape on top of the pole actually accelerates the wind as a result of the venturi effect, resulting in a significantly higher power output of the turbine and therefore a better performance of the system. 

(the Energy Plant in the Mekelpark)

The Energy Plant is supported by:  

• Het Delft Energy Initiative
• Energy Club
• Idee VROM
• Stichting Jouw Plan
• Poly-Service
• Van Rijsoort Buigwerk
• Gardena

The Energy Plant Team:

For more information about the Energy Club or the Energy Plant, view: www.energyclub.nl.