04/30/2026
Imagine looking at the flower of the Triplaris america (the ant tree) and thinking that a wind generator could imitate how nature managed to move the flowers (and seeds) far distances! Our maple keys spiral their way down but don’t travel far. Apparently, the flower of the ant tree can mobilize in low wind conditions. Et voilà, an idea is born!
The present political state of the world has created a big uptick in the demand for clean energy and a desire to stop fossil fuel addiction and its insecurities. Traditional wind turbines require high wind speeds making them not suitable for all areas. A gap exists for small-scale generation, especially in remote and rural communities.
Parsons Kinetics is a Colombian climate tech startup that develops wind turbines designed for low-wind-speed regions inspired by the autorotating flight of Amazonian seeds.
Each wing of the Triplaris america is flat, thin, and lightweight, arranged in a pinwheel shape that maximizes lift and air resistance. When released from the tree’s high branches, it spins or glides, allowing the seed to travel far from its origin. By mimicking the seeds curved, single leaf structure and its natural spinning ability, the engineering team was able to create an efficient blade that captures energy from slow-moving air. These turbines are lightweight, modular and manufactured locally in Colombia using regionally sourced materials thus promoting social inclusion by providing energy access to underserved communities.
The Canadian scene could benefit from something like this.
For more information visit Parson’s website: https://parsonskinetics.com/
