On the roof of BMW Group’s Oxford plant is a prototype bladeless wind energy solution that is harnessing wind power to produce clean energy.

This pilot unit has been developed by US start-up Aeromine Technologies, which was founded in 2021 with the aim of bringing the wind energy to the rooftop power generation market.

The noiseless and vibration-free units have been designed to sit on the edge of flat roofs, where they are orientated towards the prevailing wind.

The technology leverages aerodynamics similar to airfoils on a race car in that the unit’s wing-like vertical airfoils create a vacuum effect, drawing air behind an internal propeller to generate clean electricity.

Aeromine claims that if its system – which consists of 20 to 40 units and is typically 50kW or larger – is installed alongside solar panels, the two technologies can generate all of a building’s on-site energy needs, while minimising the need for energy storage.

Claus Lønborg, managing director of Aeromine, said: “Our...