Discover Vattenfall and Superuse’s innovative project transforming a wind turbine nacelle into a 376-sq-ft tiny house, showcasing sustainable living through creative reuse. Featured at Dutch Design Week 2024.
Living in a Wind Turbine? It’s Now Possible
European energy company Vattenfall and design studio Superuse have converted a wind turbine nacelle – the top part housing essential components like the generator and gearbox – into a tiny house. This 376-sq-ft (35 sq m) space is created from a nacelle that was part of an Austrian turbine operating for 20 years.
The Nacelle Conversion Project
The nacelle, sourced from a Vestas V80 2-MW turbine that stood 328 ft (100 m) high in Austria, measures 13 ft (4 m) wide, 32 ft (10 m) long, and 10 ft (3 m) high. Vattenfall’s tiny house project, featured at Dutch Design Week 2024, demonstrates how even complex materials like glass fiber reinforced plastics can be repurposed rather than discarded.
Building a Tiny Home in the Nacelle
Superuse equipped the nacelle, aptly named “Nestle,” with:
- Energy Solutions: Four roof-mounted solar panels generating 1,800 W of peak power and a solar-powered water boiler for showering and washing.
- Comfort Essentials: A heat pump, decentralized ventilation system with compact wall-mounted panels, and EV charging point.
- Interior Features: A wooden interior outfitted with a kitchenette, bathroom, combined sleeping and living area, and sustainably sourced, second-hand furniture.
Future of Circular Design in Wind Energy
Jos de Krieger, a partner at Superuse, envisions a broader impact for repurposing wind turbines. “At least ten thousand nacelles of this generation are available worldwide, many awaiting decommissioning. If a house can be created, many simpler, scalable applications are also possible.”
This project sparks enthusiasm for tiny home enthusiasts and circular economy supporters alike, highlighting a future where wind turbines may offer even more utility long after their decommissioning.
