Australia - Roof wind project now funded

Power-generating turbines that look like helicopter blades could soon become commonplace on house roofs and commercial buildings to help cut power bills. Adelaide-based Stellar Energy has developed a 3m vertical-axis wind turbine capable of small-scale power generation directly into the electricity grid. Managing director Adrian Ferraretto yesterday said the turbine, expected to be available for about $10,000 each by the end of the year, could save households up to $2000 a year on their energy bills. Stellar Energy has received a $64,000 federal grant to assist with set-up costs. It is one of three grants, totalling $1.1 million, provided to South Australian companies under a scheme to commercial-ise emerging technologies. They are among 63 projects funded nationally to about $39 million.