Eciwind · Project

Affordable Gearbox-Free Small Wind Turbine That Pays for Itself in Under 6 Years

energyPilotedTRL 7

eciwind.enair.es

Imagine a wind turbine small enough for a farm or factory, but cheap enough that it actually pays for itself — without needing government subsidies. That's what two Spanish companies set out to build. They removed the gearbox (the most expensive, breakdown-prone part) and redesigned the whole machine so it costs 40% less to buy and needs half the maintenance. Think of it like switching from a complex gas engine to a simpler electric motor — fewer moving parts means fewer headaches and lower bills.

By the numbers

40%

Reduction in purchase and installation cost vs. conventional small wind turbines

50%

Reduction in maintenance requirements

<6 years

Investment payback period without subsidies

40 kW

Rated turbine capacity

4000 €/kW

Current market cost for small wind turbines in 10-50 kW range

1500 €/year

Average annual maintenance cost of conventional SWT

22%

Compound annual growth rate of small wind market (2013-2020 projection)

EUR 1,307,305

EU funding received

The business problem

What needed solving

Small businesses, farms, and rural facilities that consume 200-450 kWh/day face a painful choice: pay high grid electricity costs or invest in small wind turbines that cost around 4000 €/kW with 1500 €/year in maintenance — making the investment unaffordable without government subsidies. The gearbox in conventional turbines is both the most expensive component and the primary source of breakdowns and maintenance costs.

The solution

What was built

The team built a gearbox-free small wind turbine with pitch control and permanent magnet generator. A 10 kW working prototype was completed before the project, and the EU-funded project delivered a full-scale 40 kW demonstration unit (deliverable: "P3 Upgrade Prototype: A replica of ECIWIND at a 40 kW scale").

Audience

Who needs this

Farms and agricultural businesses in windy areas spending heavily on electricitySmall manufacturers and workshops looking to reduce energy costs independentlyRural hotels, eco-resorts, and off-grid hospitality businessesIndustrial parks and technology parks seeking on-site renewable generationWind turbine distributors looking for competitive products in the 10-50 kW segment

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Agriculture & Farming

SME

Target: Medium-sized farms with high energy consumption

If you are a farm owner spending heavily on electricity for irrigation, cooling, or processing — and you are located in an area with average wind speeds above 5 m/s — this project developed a 40 kW wind turbine that costs 40% less than comparable models and requires 50% less maintenance. For farms consuming 200-400 kWh/day, this turbine can cover your energy needs with a payback period under 6 years, no subsidies required.

Light Manufacturing & Industrial Parks

SME

Target: Small industrial facilities and workshops

If you are a small manufacturer dealing with rising energy costs and consuming 200-450 kWh/day, this project built a gearbox-free wind turbine specifically sized for your needs. The 40 kW unit eliminates the most maintenance-heavy component, cutting annual upkeep costs significantly compared to the typical 1500 €/year for conventional small wind turbines. It was designed to make wind power viable without depending on subsidies.

Rural Hospitality & Tourism

SME

Target: Off-grid or rural hotels, resorts, and eco-lodges

If you run a rural hospitality business where grid electricity is expensive or unreliable, this 40 kW wind turbine was designed to be cost-effective for exactly your scale. With 40% lower installation costs and 50% less maintenance than conventional small wind turbines, it can provide a reliable, independent power source. The gearbox-free design means fewer breakdowns and less downtime — critical when your guests expect the lights to stay on.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much does this wind turbine cost compared to competitors?

Current small wind turbines in the 10-50 kW range cost around 4000 €/kW to acquire and install, with annual maintenance averaging 1500 €/year. The Eciwind design reduces the purchase and installation cost by 40% and cuts maintenance needs by 50%, based on their 10 kW prototype results.

Can this scale to power larger facilities or multiple buildings?

The project specifically targeted the 10-50 kW capacity range, with the final demonstration unit at 40 kW. This covers energy needs of 200-450 kWh/day — suitable for farms and small industrial sites. For larger facilities, multiple units could potentially be deployed, though the project focused on single-unit applications.

Who owns the intellectual property and how can I license this technology?

The IP is held by the consortium — Lancor 2000 S Coop and Enair Energy SL, both Spanish SMEs. Enair is a wind turbine manufacturer, so commercial licensing or direct purchase would need to be negotiated through them. The project website (eciwind.enair.es) was the commercial landing page.

What is the payback period for this investment?

Based on the project data, the investment payback period is less than 6 years without any government subsidy. This is achieved through the 40% lower acquisition cost and 50% reduction in maintenance compared to conventional small wind turbines in this capacity range.

What wind conditions does my site need?

The turbine is designed for locations where the annual average wind velocity is higher than 5 m/s. In such conditions, a 10-50 kW wind turbine is identified as the best option to cover energy needs of small industrial users and farms. A site wind assessment would be needed before installation.

Is this technology actually built or still on paper?

A working 10 kW prototype was built and tested before the EU project started, demonstrating the 40% cost reduction and 50% maintenance reduction. The EU-funded project then built a full 40 kW demonstration unit. The project ran from 2015 to 2018 and is now closed.

Does this comply with European energy regulations?

The project was funded under the EU's Horizon 2020 SME Instrument Phase 2, which requires regulatory compliance assessment. The turbine was designed specifically for the European market. Based on available project data, specific certifications achieved are not detailed in the objective text.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a lean, execution-focused consortium of just 2 Spanish SMEs with 100% industry participation — no universities or research institutes. Lancor 2000 S Coop coordinates, and the partner Enair Energy SL is an established wind turbine manufacturer. This all-industry setup means the technology was developed with commercial viability as the primary driver, not academic publication. The EUR 1,307,305 EU investment through the SME Instrument Phase 2 signals that the European Commission assessed this as a near-market technology with strong commercialization potential. The fact that both partners are SMEs means they have direct motivation to bring this to market quickly.

How to reach the team

Lancor 2000 S Coop (Spain) — contact via SciTransfer for introduction to the project team

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Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore whether this 40 kW wind turbine fits your site and energy needs? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the development team and help assess your specific case.

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