GB2458752A

GB2458752A - Wind turbine apparatus comprising a fairing

Info

Publication number: GB2458752A
Application number: GB0902963A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Vasey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-23
Filing date: 2009-02-23
Publication date: 2009-10-07
Also published as: GB0902963D0

Abstract

A wind turbine apparatus 10 for mounting on a building 28 comprises a rotor 12 and a fairing 20. The rotor has a plurality of blades 16 rotatable about a rotor axis 14 in response to an approaching wind 18, 19, 40, 42 acting on the blades, which may come from in front of or behind the rotor. The fairing is positionable on the building for smoothly directing the wind from a face 36 of the building, or preferably over a flat roof 32 or side of a building, towards the rotor. The apparatus may also comprise a canopy 44. Preferably, the fairing and canopy provide: means to efficiently direct the approaching wind towards the rotor and on to the blades in the direction of rotation; means to shield the blades rotating into the approaching wind, thereby improving the efficiency of the apparatus; and means to further accelerate and funnel an approaching wind towards the rotor, thereby increasing rotor speed and the efficiency of the apparatus. In further aspects, a wind turbine system comprising a number of apparatus mounted along an edge of a building, and a method of installing a wind turbine apparatus, are also disclosed.

Description

I

A Wind Turbine Apparatus, System and Method The present invention relates to a wind turbine for generating electrical power from wind.

Wind turbines are known to comprise a rotor having a number of blades designed to rotate the rotor about a rotor axis when an approaching wind hits the blades. The rotor is coupled to a generator for converting the wind energy into usable electrical energy.

A known problem of wind turbines is they require clean' wind in a laminar flow state to be economically efficient. Therefore, it is preferred to locate wind turbines in large open spaces and not in urban environments where buildings cause the wind to become turbulent, i.e. dirty'.

A means for more efficiently harnessing the wind energy in an urban environment is therefore required.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a wind turbine apparatus for mounting on a building, comprising: -a rotor having a plurality of blades rotatable about a rotor axis and adapted to rotate in response to an approaching wind acting on the blades; and -a fairing positionable on the building for smoothly directing the wind from a face of the building towards the rotor.

Urban environments, particularly where relatively high buildings are present, frequently experience high wind conditions. The wind is often accelerated through streets between buildings and further accelerated up or across the faces of the buildings. When an approaching wind hits a relatively flat face of a building, it is deflected up or across the face of the building to be exhausted over the roof or sides of the building at an edge of the building. Where the wind blows up the face of the building, the edge may be a horizontal edge of a roof. Where two relatively tall buildings are in close proximity to each other to define a narrow spacing between the buildings, an amount of wind tends to blow across the face of the buildings to be accelerated through the spacing. Where wind blows across the face of the building, the building edge may be a vertical edge defining a corner of the building.

Advantageously, the fairing is positionable on a surface of the building to provide a smooth transition between a face of the building up or across which the wind is blowing thereby to smoothly direct the wind from the building face and around the building edge towards the rotor. The fairing advantageously ensures the wind is smoothly directed from the face of the building towards the rotor thereby to capture energy from the wind blowing up or across the building which is otherwise lost.

Preferably the fairing is adapted to direct wind on to the rotor from a front side of the rotor. It will be understood that the apparatus has a front and rear side. Suitably the front side is positioned at or over the edge of the building and the rear side is provided behind the edge of the building.

Suitably the fairing is adapted to direct wind blowing up the face of the building towards the rotor and additionally, or alternatively, may direct wind approaching from in front of the building from an angle closer to the horizontal as opposed to vertically up the face of the building, for example.

Preferably the fairing directs wind on to a blade in a direction of rotation of the rotor. This advantageously ensures the energy harnessed by the wind is transferred directly to rotation of the rotor and a minimum of wind energy is wasted, e.g. by striking a returning' rotor blade travelling into the wind.

Suitably the rotor axis may be substantially parallel with the edge of the building. The rotor axis may be horizontally orientated to provide a horizontal axis wind turbine apparatus for mounting on the roof of a building.

Suitably the fairing may be adapted to be positioned on a building having a substantially flat surface defining approximately a right-angled building edge. Where the edge of the building is approximately right-angled, the fairing may be positioned at the edge of the building to provide a smooth transition between the face of the building and the flat surface on which the rotor is mounted. Suitably the flat surface of the building may be a building roof and the fairing provides a smooth transition for wind blowing up the face of the building.

Alternatively, the rotor axis may be vertically orientated to provide a vertical axis wind turbine apparatus for mounting on the side of a building.

The flat surface may be a side of the building extending rearward from the face of the building and the fairing provides a smooth transition for wind blowing across the face of the building.

Preferably the fairing comprises a curved front fairing surface. The front fairing surface may be provided in front of the rotor axis thereby to direct wind on to the rotor when approaching from in front of the apparatus.

Suitably the front fairing surface may be convex to provide a smooth transition of the wind from the building face to the surface on which the apparatus is mounted and towards the rotor. This is desirable where the building roof or side of the building is substantially at right angles with the building face. Suitably the fairing may be positionable at the edge of the building so that the front fairing surface extends upwardly from the edge and curves towards the horizontal to direct wind towards the rotor.

Suitably the front fairing surface may be concave and convex to provide a smooth transition of the wind from the building face to the surface on which the apparatus is mounted and towards the rotor. This may be desirable where an obstruction, such as a drainage channel, roof guttering or roof tiles, is present at the edge of the building which tends to disturb the flow of the wind blowing up the face of the building. Suitably the fairing may be positionable over the edge of the building, and the obstruction thereon, to effectively blend into the face of the building to provide the smooth transition from the face to the rotor. Wind blowing up the face of the building may thereby flow around the obstruction and the edge of the building to remain in a relatively clean' state of flow whilst being directed towards the rotor. For example, the front fairing surface may define a concave profile extending from the building face and around the obstruction before extending into a convex profile to direct the wind towards the rotor. Alternatively or additionally, the convex profile may extend around an obstruction.

Concave will be understood to be curved inwardly relative to the building and convex will be understood to be curved outwardly relative to the building. As described above, the front fairing surface may extend upwardly and curve towards the horizontal thereby defining a convex surface. In contrast, a surface extending horizontally and curving upwardly would define a concave surface.

Suitably the fairing is adapted to smoothly direct an approaching wind from a surface on which the fairing is mounted towards the rotor. Preferably the fairing is adapted to direct wind on to the rotor approaching from a rear side of the rotor. This is particularly desirable where wind is blowing over the building roof and approaching from behind the rotor, for example.

Preferably the fairing comprises a curved rear fairing surface. The rear fairing surface may be provided behind the rotor axis thereby to direct wind on to the rotor when approaching from behind the apparatus.

Suitably the rear fairing surface may be convex or concave. Preferably the rear fairing surface is concave to provide a smooth transition from the roof or side of the building on which the fairing is mounted to direct wind blowing over the roof or side of the building towards the rotor.

An intermediate curved fairing surface may be provided between the front and rear fairing surfaces. The intermediate surface may partially house the rotor and may be complementarily shaped with a portion of the rotor.

Suitably the intermediate fairing surface may be a concave channel to house a portion of a cylindrical rotor, for example.

Alternatively and preferably, the front and rear fairing surfaces may be separate and spaced apart or may intersect and an intermediate surface may not be present. Suitably the front fairing surface is convex and the rear fairing surface is concave.

The concave rear surface of the fairing has the advantageous effect of accelerating and directing wind blowing over the roof or side of the building towards the rotor when the wind is approaching from behind the apparatus.

Suitably, the fairing may comprise a mounting surface for mounting the fairing to a roof or side of the building and the front and rear surfaces may desirably terminate at the mounting surface. Suitably the mounting surface is flat for mounting the fairing to a flat roof or side of the building.

The mounting surface of the fairing may suitably be adapted to fit over or around an obstruction, such as described above, present at the edge of the building. The fairing may be an integral structure. Alternatively, the fairing may comprise a frame on which the front and rear fairing surfaces are attached.

Preferably the front convex fairing surface is provided forward of the rotor axis to direct wind on to the rotor in a direction of rotation thereof.

Advantageously, where the fairing is mounted to the roof of a building, the front convex surface begins at the building edge and terminates forward and below the rotor axis. This ensures wind blowing up the building face is directed towards blades of the rotor rotating in a direction of the approaching wind. Additionally, this feature advantageously shields the blades rotating into the wind approaching from in front of the building thereby to improve the efficiency of the turbine apparatus.

Preferably the rear concave fairing surface is adapted to rise up from behind the rotor axis towards the rotor to direct wind on to the rotor in a direction of rotation thereof. Suitably the rear fairing surface terminates in front of the rotor axis. The spacing between the rear fairing surface and the rotor suitably reduces towards its termination thereby to direct wind blowing up the rear fairing surface on to the rotor in a direction of the rotating blades. Suitably the wind is accelerated up the rear fairing surface towards the rotor. Suitably the rear fairing surface is longer than the front fairing surface in a direction perpendicular to the rotor axis.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a canopy to capture and direct an approaching wind on to the rotor. Suitably, where the apparatus is mounted on the roof of a building, the canopy is positionable above the fairing and the rotor is provided between the fairing and the canopy.

Preferably the canopy is adapted to direct wind on to the rotor from a front side of the rotor.

Suitably the canopy is positionable above the building edge to advantageously direct and funnel any wind which has escaped' from the front fairing surface, or is approaching from in front of the building, towards the rotor. The canopy thereby advantageously captures and directs additional wind towards the rotor to increase the amount of energy captured by the wind turbine apparatus.

Preferably the canopy is adapted to direct wind on to the rotor from a rear side of the rotor. This is particularly desirable where wind is blowing over the building roof and approaching from behind the apparatus.

Suitably the fairing and the canopy direct wind on to the rotor approaching from in front of or behind the rotor. Wind approaching from in front of or behind the rotor at different angles to the perpendicular relative to the rotor axis may suitably be captured and directed towards the rotor by the fairing and canopy. Desirably, wind which is otherwise wasted is therefore captured by the canopy and directed towards the rotor thereby to harness as much energy as possible from wind approaching the building irrespective of its direction.

A combination of the fairing and canopy may suitably accelerate and funnel the wind being directed towards the rotor thereby to increase the speed of the rotor and the amount of energy being captured by the turbine.

Preferably the canopy directs wind on to a blade in a direction of rotation of the rotor. As described above, this advantageously ensures the energy harnessed by the wind is transferred directly to rotation of the rotor and a minimum of wind energy is wasted, e.g. by striking a returning' blade travelling into the wind.

Preferably the canopy comprises a curved front canopy surface and a curved rear canopy surface. Suitably the front and rear canopy surfaces are concave.

Suitably the front canopy surface is provided in front of the rotor axis and the rear canopy surface behind the rotor axis thereby to direct wind on to the rotor when approaching from in front of or behind the apparatus. In a similar manner to the fairing, an intermediate curved canopy surface may be provided between the front and rear canopy surfaces to partially house the rotor. The intermediate canopy surface may be complementarily shaped with the rotor. Suitably the intermediate canopy surface may be a concave channel to house a portion of a cylindrical rotor, for example.

Alternatively and preferably, the front and rear canopy surfaces may be separate and spaced apart or may intersect and an intermediate surface may not be present.

Suitably the canopy may comprise a framework on which the front and rear canopy surfaces are attached. Alternatively, the canopy may be an integral structure.

Preferably the front concave canopy surface extends from in front of the rotor axis to terminate behind the rotor axis to direct wind on to the rotor in a direction of the rotating blades. Suitably, where the apparatus is mounted to the roof of a building, the front canopy surface gradually extends downwardly from in front of and above the rotor to terminate behind the rotor axis. The spacing between the front canopy surface and the rotor reduces towards its termination thereby to direct wind blowing down the front canopy surface on to the blades of the rotor rotating in a direction of rotation of the rotor.

Suitably the rear concave canopy surface extends downwardly from behind the rotor and towards the rotor. Suitably the rear canopy surface terminates in the vicinity of the rotor to direct wind on to the rotor in a direction of rotation of the blades. This ensures wind approaching from behind the turbine blows down the rear canopy surface on to blades of the rotor rotating in a direction of the wind leaving the rear canopy surface.

Additionally, this feature advantageously shields the blades rotating into the approaching wind thereby to improve the efficiency of the turbine apparatus.

Suitably the canopy is supported by one or more support members.

Suitably the front canopy surface may overhang the edge of the building to capture wind escaping' the front fairing surface or approaching the turbine from a direction in front of the turbine other than up the face of the building as described above. This overhang may subject the canopy to a significant force, particularly in high wind conditions. Therefore, one or more support members may be provided to support the canopy. The support members may be provided at four corners of the canopy and may be rigid or flexible elongate members such as struts or stays, for example.

Suitably the support members are adapted to direct wind towards the rotor. The support members may be substantially rigid elongate support members and may comprise one or more curved surfaces to direct an approaching wind towards the rotor. This desirably reduces the resistance to airflow induced by the support members and ensures wind contacting the support members is directed towards the rotor and is not disturbed by the support members.

Suitably the support members may be rotatably attached to the canopy.

The support members may conveniently be rotatable to allow them to be rotated in accordance with a change in approaching wind direction. The support members may be driven by suitable drive means, such as a motor, which is operated by a control system in operative communication with a wind vane or anemometer, for example.

Suitably the support members may comprise actuation means to rotate the canopy about an axis parallel to the rotor axis. To increase the funnelling effect of the canopy and fairing arrangement, the support members may be adapted to move the front canopy surface towards the front fairing surface thereby to reduce a distance therebetween and cause an increase in wind speed towards the rotor. This may be particularly desirable in lower wind speed conditions. Alternatively, where a wind is approaching from behind the turbine apparatus, the support members may be adapted to move the rear canopy surface towards or away from the rear fairing surface for similar reasons and effect. Suitably the support members may comprise hydraulic rams, for example, which are operated by a control system in accordance with wind speed and/or direction.

Suitably deflector members may be provided to direct wind towards the rotor. The deflector member may operate in a similar manner to the support members to direct an approaching wind towards the rotor.

Suitably the deflector members may be rotatably mounted to the apparatus. The deflector members may conveniently be rotatable to allow them to be rotated in accordance with a change in approaching wind direction. The deflector members may be suitably driven by suitable drive means, such as a motor, which is operated by a control system in operative communication with a wind vane or anemometer, for example.

Suitably the deflector members may comprise one or more curved surfaces to direct an approaching wind towards the rotor. This desirably reduces the resistance induced by the deflector members and ensures wind contacting the deflector members is directed towards the rotor and is not disturbed by the deflector members.

Suitably one or more of the rotor, fairing and canopy may comprise means to connect to one or more of the same. Suitably two or more turbine apparatus as described above may be connected together to provide an elongate turbine system, in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, for mounting along an edge of a building.

Suitably one or more of the rotor, fairing and canopy may be manufactured from a suitable plastics or metals material such as glass reinforced plastic, fibreglass or aluminium.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a building comprising a wind turbine apparatus or a wind turbine system as described above.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of installing a wind turbine apparatus or a wind turbine system as described above on a building, the method comprising the steps of: -providing a rotor having a plurality of blades rotatable about a rotor axis in response to an approaching wind acting on the blades; and -positioning a fairing on the building for smoothly directing the wind from a face of the building towards the rotor.

Preferably the method further comprises providing a canopy to capture and direct an approaching wind on to the rotor.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which: -Figure 1 shows a side view of a horizontal axis turbine apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing wind approaching from in front of the apparatus; -Figure 2 shows wind approaching from behind the apparatus of Figure 1; -Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the apparatus of Figure 1 and 2; and -Figure 4 shows a wind turbine system in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a horizontal wind turbine apparatus 10 comprises a rotor 12 having a horizontal rotor axis 14 and a plurality of blades 16 designed to rotate the rotor 12 about the rotor axis 14 when an approaching wind (indicated by arrows 18, 19 or 40, 42) contacts the blades 16. The rotor 12 is coupled to a generator for converting the wind energy into usable electrical energy.

The apparatus 10 includes a fairing 20 having a convex front surface 22 and a concave rear surface 24. The fairing 20 has a flat lower surface 30 for mounting the apparatus 10 to a flat roof 32 of the building 28. The front fairing surface 22 is positioned on the building edge 26 to provide a smooth transitional surface for wind blowing up a face 36 of the building 28 to flow. The front fairing surface 22 directs wind 18 towards the rotor 12.

The front and rear fairing surfaces 22, 24 terminate at an intersection 38 in front of a lower half of the rotor 12. This advantageously directs wind 18 on to the blades 16 rotating in a direction of the wind 18 leaving the fairing at its intersection 38 and also shields the blades 16 rotating into the approaching wind 18 thereby to improve the efficiency of the turbine apparatus 10.

The rear fairing surface 24 provides a smooth surface to direct wind 40 approaching over the roof 32 of the building 28 from behind the turbine apparatus 10 towards the rotor 12. The rear fairing surface 24 extends gradually upwardly from the building roof 32 to the fairing intersection 38.

This ensures wind 40 blowing over the flat roof 32 is smoothly captured and directed towards the rotor 12. The wind 40 is directed towards the rotor 12 by the rear fairing surface 24 and on to the blades 16 rotating in a direction of the wind 40 leaving the fairing at its intersection 38.

The apparatus 10 includes a canopy 44 having concave front and rear surfaces 46, 48. The canopy 44 has a flat upper surface 50. The front canopy surface 46 is positioned over the edge 34 of the building 28 to capture wind 18 blowing up from the face 36 of the building 28 which has escaped' the front fairing surface 22. The front canopy surface 46 also captures wind 19 which is approaching from other angles in front of the turbine 10. The front canopy surface 46 smoothly directs wind 18, 19 towards the rotor 12.

The front and rear canopy surfaces 46, 48 terminate at an intersection 51 defining a lowest point of the canopy 44. The intersection 50 is positioned behind of a lower half of the rotor 12. The front canopy surface 46 advantageously captures and directs wind 18, 19 approaching from in front of the turbine 10 on to the blades 16 rotating in a direction of the wind 18, 19 leaving the canopy at its intersection 51.

The rear canopy surface 48 captures and directs wind 42 approaching from behind the turbine 10 towards the rotor 12. The position of the canopy intersection 51 ensures wind 42 is directed on to blades 16 rotating in the direction of the wind 42 leaving the canopy at its intersection 51. This also shields the blades 16 rotating into the approaching wind 42 thereby to improve the efficiency of the turbine apparatus 10.

A combination of the fairing 20 and the canopy 44 accelerate and funnel the wind 18, 19 or 40, 42 towards the rotor approaching from in front of or behind the turbine apparatus 10. This desirably increases rotor speed and the efficiency of the turbine apparatus 10.

As shown in the Figures, the front canopy surface 46 is longer than the rear canopy surface 48 in a direction perpendicular to the rotor axis 14.

The front canopy surface 46 overhangs the edge 34 of the building 28 to capture wind escaping' the front fairing surface 22 or approaching the turbine 10 from in front of the turbine 10 other than up the face 36 of the building 28. This overhang may subject the canopy 44 to a significant force, particularly in high wind conditions.

As shown in Figure 3, four corner support members 52 are provided to support the canopy 44. The support members 52 are substantially rigid and may have one or more curved surfaces to define an aerofoil profile, for example, to direct an approaching wind towards the rotor 12. This desirably reduces the resistance to airflow induced by the support members 52 and ensures wind contacting the support members 52 is directed towards the rotor 12 and is not adversely disturbed by the support members 52.

As shown in Figure 4, two or more turbine apparatus 10 may be adapted to connect together to provide an elongate turbine system 60 for positioning on a roof 32 along an edge 34 of a building 28.

The turbine apparatus 10 provides an efficient and effective means to capture a maximum amount of wind 18, 19 or 40, 42 blowing up a face 36 or over a flat roof 32 of a building 28 from in front of or behind the turbine 10. The fairing 22 and canopy 44 provide means to efficiently direct an approaching wind towards the rotor 12 and on to the blades 16 in the direction of rotation. The fairing 22 and canopy 44 also provide means to shield the blades 16 rotating into the approaching wind thereby to improve the efficiency of the turbine apparatus 10. The fairing 22 and canopy 44 further accelerate and funnel an approaching wind towards the rotor 12 thereby to increase rotor speed and the efficiency of the turbine apparatus 10.

Claims

Claims 1. A wind turbine apparatus for mounting on a building, comprising: -a rotor having a plurality of blades rotatable about a rotor axis in response to an approaching wind acting on the blades; and -a fairing positionable on the building for smoothly directing the wind from a face of the building towards the rotor.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fairing is adapted to provide a smooth transition for the wind from the face of the building, around an edge of the building and towards the rotor.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fairing is adapted to direct wind on to the rotor from a front side of the rotor.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fairing is adapted to direct wind on to the rotor from a rear side of the rotor.
5. An apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the fairing directs wind on to a blade in a direction of rotation of the rotor.
6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotor axis is substantially parallel with the edge of the building.
7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the fairing comprises a curved front fairing surface and a curved rear fairing surface.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the front fairing surface is convex.
9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the rear fairing surface is concave.
10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the front fairing surface is provided forward of the rotor axis to direct wind on to the rotor in a direction of rotation thereof.
11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the front fairing surface extends upwardly or outwardly from the building towards the rotor.
12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the rear fairing surface is provided rearward of the rotor axis to direct wind on to the rotor in a direction of rotation thereof.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the rear fairing surface extends from the building and behind the rotor axis to terminate in front of the rotor axis.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein spacing between the rear fairing surface and the rotor reduces towards termination of the rear fairing surface.
15. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the fairing shields blades of the rotor rotating into an approaching wind.
16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a canopy to capture and direct an approaching wind on to the rotor.
17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the canopy is adapted to direct wind on to the rotor approaching from in front of the rotor.
18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the canopy is adapted to direct wind on to the rotor approaching from behind the rotor.
19. An apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the canopy directs wind on to a blade in a direction of rotation of the rotor.
20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the canopy comprises a curved front canopy surface and a curved rear canopy surface.
21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the front canopy surface is concave.
22. An apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the rear canopy surface is concave.
23. An apparatus according to claim 20 to 22, wherein the front canopy surface extends from in front of the rotor axis and terminates behind the rotor axis to direct wind on to the rotor in a direction of rotation thereof.
24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein spacing between the front canopy surface and the rotor reduces towards termination of the front canopy surface.
25. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the rear canopy surface extends from behind the rotor axis and towards the rotor to direct wind on to the rotor in a direction of rotation of the blades.
26. An apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 25, wherein the canopy shields the blades rotating into an approaching wind.
27. An apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 26, wherein the fairing and canopy accelerate and funnel an approaching wind towards the rotor.
28. An apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 27, wherein the canopy is supported by one or more support members.
29. An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the support members are adapted to direct wind towards the rotor.
30. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the support members are rotatably attached to the canopy.
31. An apparatus according to any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein the support members comprise actuation means to rotate the canopy about an axis parallel to the rotor axis.
32. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the turbine axis is substantially vertical.
33. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising deflector members to direct wind towards the rotor.
34. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the deflector members are rotatably mounted to the apparatus.
35. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising means to connect two or more apparatus together.
36. A wind turbine system comprising a plurality of apparatus according to any preceding claim for mounting along an edge of a building.
37. A building comprising a wind turbine apparatus according to any one of claims I to 35 or a wind turbine system according to claim 36.
38. A method of installing a wind turbine apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 35 or a wind turbine system according to claim 36 on a building, the method comprising the steps of: -providing a rotor having a plurality of blades rotatable about a rotor axis in response to an approaching wind acting on the blades; and -positioning a fairing on the building for smoothly directing the wind from a face of the building towards the rotor.
39. A method according to claim 38 comprising the step of providing a canopy to capture and direct an approaching wind on to the rotor.