9 _ TECHNICAL IMPROVEMENTS

9.1_ Wind generator

A medium-size wind-generator could be implemented on the metallic tower, a few meters above the windmill. The 5-meter diameter, off-the-shelf wind-turbine will be connected to the grid and will provide most of the electricity for the building. The extra production will be sold to the grid-operator.
It will be installed on the small metallic tower that sits on the orientable platform and will therefore be oriented automatically upwind together with the windmill.
In case the solution discussed in chapter 4 to use a standard tower-crane mechanism for the orientation of the platform, then the small tower normally used to maintain the boom of the crane will be used naturally to support the wind-generator.

9.2_ Steel-mast technology

As already discussed in chapter 3, the reinforced concrete tower of the basic project, could be advantageously replaced by a standard steel-mast section used in the industrial large wind-generators. Since these solutions are widely implemented for the windfarms installed in the windy regions where we plan our project, it should be straight-forward to benefit from the know-how of these installation companies as well as from their transportation, lifting, civil-works means.
The standard sizes of these section masts are very compatible with our project. They could be made easily waterproof to be used like water-tanks. The interface with the octagonal metallic tower is straight-forward. All the adaptations necessary to house the water-stirrer, as well as the fixations to interface with the building, could be welded in factory before transportation.
This solution seems therefore to be more cost-efficient.

9.3_ Hydraulic-generator

By implementing two sections of the steel-masts mentioned hereabove, it could be possible to close the bottom of the upper section by welding a water-tight partition wall, and then to install a micro hydro turbine in between  both water-tanks. This will be used to generate electricity at peak-hours of the grid when it is paid at its maximum rate. Water pumps would lift the water from the down-tank to the upper tank when electric production is in excess and tarification low.
A side advantage of this solution is to have the windmills operating higher and in better conditions and to allow increase the height of the building and its housing capacity. The size of the heating windmill could be doubled in that case in order to cope with the extra consumption.
A further analysis is necessary to confirm the cost-efficiency of this implementation.

9.4_ External lift

An electrical lift could be installed on the exterior of the South-face of the building. It could be in form of a transparent cabin for 2 or 3 passengers, without any structure around. It would be used in addition to the internal staircases built around the center column, or for wheel-chairs.
An additional use would be as freight elevator to hoist for instance the complete repaired water-stirrer or some spare solar panels up to the upper terrace. In that case a provisional structure would be mounted on top of the cabin to maintain the equipment. It is the reason why the lift itself should not have any cage.
It should allow to transport voluminous pièces of equipment from the technical floor to the terrace for an easy maintenance of the system, or from the ground floor to the terrace.

9.5_ Recuperation of rainwater

The solar panels area as well as the upper terrace will be designed in order to recuperate efficiently the rainwater. A watertank of sufficient capacity will be housed in the buiding for the autonomous use of the occupants. A bio-filter will be implemented to make some part of it drinkable.

9.6_ Biogas production

A biogas generator will be implemented at some distance of the building. It will be fed from the restrooms inside the building, as well as from the manure harvested in the cattle-farms in the neighborhood.
The biogas will be stored, processed and then used in the building for various purposes (kitchen, additional heating source ...)

9.7_ Charger for electric cars

A charger will be implemented to load electric cars in the underground technical room, or in the parking outside.

9.8_ Lightnings energy recovering

The very high metallic tower of the project will attract the flashes of lightning. A very efficient lightning rod will be implemented. Radiall copper wires will be used to guide the energy to the ground away from the building. It could be possible to recuperate some of this energy in form of heat into intermediate water-tanks equipped with sturdy low resistors, and the to circulate the hot water to the main water-tanks.
Further studies and cost evaluations are necessary before implementing such revolutionary devices.