But that's not all. The renovation also includes LED lighting and 10 m² of roof-mounted solar panels on a visitor pavilion whose output will meet approximately 50 percent of the water heating needs of the two pavilions.
"The Eiffel Tower is arguably the most renowned architectural icon in the world, and we are proud that our advanced technology was chosen as the Tower commits to a more sustainable future," said Nick Blitterswyk, CEO of UGE International.
"When visitors from around the world see the wind turbines, we get one step closer to a world powered by clean and reliable renewable energy," Blitterswyk said.
The two UGE VisionAIR5 wind turbines have been painted to match the tower's patina, are expected to produce 10,000kWh of electricity annually, equivalent to the power used by the commercial areas of the structure's first floor.
UGE International designed the wind energy system to provide a clean source of energy at the Eiffel Tower, which is undergoing its first major face-lift in 30 years.
The Eiffel Tower's vertical axis wind turbines are virtually silent and designed to capture wind from any direction, the company said.
The location for the wind turbines, about 400 feet (120 meters) above the ground, was strategically chosen to maximize energy production, allowing the wind turbines to harvest the steady winds at the height of the installation and offset the Tower's energy usage.
But the installation of the turbines wasn't easy. According to UGE, each had to be hoisted and suspended with ropes to the tower's second level.
Although there is no 'High Quality Environmental' benchmark for the Eiffel Tower, one of the major goals of the face-lift was to achieve a significant reduction in its ecological footprint as part of the City of Paris Climate Plan.
In addition to innovations noted above, high-performance heat pumps have also been installed to ensure a constantly balanced temperature. The two pavilions also have gained a rainwater recovery system that provides flushing water to the toilet facilities.
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