BMW convert wind turbines into Advent candles

by womenonwheels

December 18, 2020

BMW convert wind turbines into Advent candles

BMW has certainly gotten into the festive spirit. The German Automaker has decided to make use of four wind turbines on the grounds of the BMW Group Plant in Leipzig to act as a symbol for Advent candles lighting the way to sustainability.

Each Advent Sunday, one more is lit up in bright white rather than the usual blue, until the Fourth Sunday of Advent [December 20], when all of them will be aglow. Each ‘candle’ will evenly be illuminated by the eight powerful LED lights that surround it, each of which are powered by electricity from the turbines themselves.

The four wind turbines have actually been generating green wind energy for BMW in production since 2013.  At 190 metres high and with a power output of 2.5 megawatts each, the turbines generated a combined total of 26.4-gigawatt-hours of electricity purely from wind in 2019, which is enough to power more than 5,000 three-person households for a year. The wind turbines provide about one-fifth of all the electricity used at BMW Group Plant Leipzig. When production is not running, they power other areas of the facility and ensure the base load is covered.

According to the Daily Press, each advent Sunday is meant to symbolise hope, love, joy and peace. However, BMW views its 190 metres high wind turbine candles as a symbol of the company’s commitment to sustainability, a commitment the BMW Group sees very much as a part of its identity.

 

Picture: BMW