Harnessing the Tailwind: How Swedish Infrastructure is Going Kinetic
An Industrial Revolution at the Roadside
The global transition toward renewable energy is at a pivotal moment where innovation must evolve beyond simply scaling existing solutions. Here in Sweden, we've witnessed firsthand the limitations of traditional wind energy models—the NIMBY resistance, the land-use conflicts, and the disconnect between utility-scale projects and local energy needs.As COO of the Swedish Knowledge & Research Center (SKRC); I'm dedicated to sustainable innovation and particularly encouraged by what's emerging in Södertälje: a paradigm shift toward distributed roadside wind energy that addresses these very challenges with elegant simplicity and profound implications for our infrastructure's future.
Visionary Leadership Meets Practical Innovation
Leading this transition is WindMotors AB, founded by two remarkable innovators; both in their twenties; Robert Yazdin and Andraus Yazdin. Their approach exemplifies what we call the "young ideas" movement transforming Swedish industry—blending fresh perspectives with deep technical understanding. Rather than asking how to build bigger turbines, they asked a fundamentally different question: How can we turn existing infrastructure into energy-generating assets? |
| WindMotors at Web Summit Doha, Qatar showcasing the project Left Andraus Yazdin Co-Founder, right Robert Yazdin Founder - Source (https://innovationsoftheworld.com/) |
Their answer transforms ordinary roads into productive energy corridors, repurposing the spaces between destinations as sources of power. This isn't merely incremental improvement; it's a reimagining of what infrastructure can be. At our research center, we see this as precisely the type of systemic thinking needed to accelerate Sweden's green transition—innovation that works with existing systems rather than requiring complete reinvention.
The Modular Future: Concept 1.0 and Its Implementation
At WindMotors' core is what they term "Concept 1.0"—a modular system built for rapid deployment and intelligent integration. In the energy sector, we often speak of scalability, but true scalability must address both technical and logistical dimensions.Their "LEGO" approach achieves exactly this: compact units transportable in standard containers, assembled with minimal specialized equipment, and deployable along highways, medians, and sound barriers without major construction projects.
This modularity addresses one of renewable energy's persistent challenges—the time between concept and implementation. Where traditional wind farms require years of planning, permitting, and construction, WindMotors' system can be deployed in phases, tested in real conditions, and scaled based on proven performance. This iterative approach aligns perfectly with Sweden's innovation philosophy: test, learn, refine, and scale.
This modularity addresses one of renewable energy's persistent challenges—the time between concept and implementation. Where traditional wind farms require years of planning, permitting, and construction, WindMotors' system can be deployed in phases, tested in real conditions, and scaled based on proven performance. This iterative approach aligns perfectly with Sweden's innovation philosophy: test, learn, refine, and scale.
Vertical Axis Technology: Optimized for Real-World Conditions
WindMotors employs Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs), a choice reflecting deep understanding of environmental physics rather than simply following industry conventions.Unlike traditional Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) optimized for steady, high-altitude winds, VAWTs capture energy omnidirectionally—perfect for the turbulent, unpredictable airflow patterns along highways.
Here's what our research center finds particularly compelling: these turbines don't just tolerate the chaotic wind environment created by passing vehicles; they leverage it. Each vehicle generates a wake of intensified airflow, creating what engineers call "accelerated wind regimes" along transportation corridors.
Here's what our research center finds particularly compelling: these turbines don't just tolerate the chaotic wind environment created by passing vehicles; they leverage it. Each vehicle generates a wake of intensified airflow, creating what engineers call "accelerated wind regimes" along transportation corridors.
While conventional turbines would struggle in these conditions, VAWTs actually benefit from the variability, converting what was previously considered unusable turbulence into harvestable energy.
From NIMBY to PIMBY: The Social Innovation Dimension
Perhaps the most significant breakthrough isn't technological but social. WindMotors successfully transforms the energy siting conversation from "Not In My Backyard" to "Please In My Backyard"—what we might call the PIMBY revolution.Traditional wind projects face understandable resistance from communities concerned about visual impact, noise, and land use. By situating turbines within existing transportation corridors—spaces already characterized by activity, sound, and infrastructure—WindMotors eliminates these primary objections.
The median strips, highway margins, and sound barriers where they install turbines aren't residential backyards; they're transitional spaces between places, often visually screened and acoustically buffered.
This represents a masterstroke in sustainable planning: utilizing "double-duty" land assets. Municipalities gain energy generation without new land acquisition or zoning changes.
This represents a masterstroke in sustainable planning: utilizing "double-duty" land assets. Municipalities gain energy generation without new land acquisition or zoning changes.
Communities benefit from local renewable power without the perceived negatives. And the energy system gains distributed generation exactly where it's often needed most—along transportation corridors that already host significant electrical demand for lighting, signage, and emerging EV infrastructure.
Sweden's Innovation Ecosystem in Action
As COO of a research institution, I'm particularly encouraged by how WindMotors navigates what we call the "Valley of Death" between research and commercialization. Sweden consistently ranks among the world's most innovative nations, yet we face a persistent challenge: only about 40% of Nordic innovations reach meaningful market penetration. |
| Figure 1 - Not All Nordic Innovation reaches the Commercial Market |
WindMotors demonstrates how to bridge this gap through strategic ecosystem engagement. Their work with Vinnova's "system demonstrators" program exemplifies the public-private partnership model that makes Swedish innovation uniquely effective.
Rather than developing technology in isolation, they're testing in real environments, gathering performance data under actual conditions, and refining their systems based on empirical evidence.
This approach creates what we call "innovation momentum"—each pilot project generates not just electricity but valuable data, operational experience, and stakeholder confidence. It's a virtuous cycle that accelerates both technological refinement and market acceptance.
This approach creates what we call "innovation momentum"—each pilot project generates not just electricity but valuable data, operational experience, and stakeholder confidence. It's a virtuous cycle that accelerates both technological refinement and market acceptance.
The Strategic Implications: Beyond Energy Generation
Looking forward, the implications extend far beyond kilowatt-hours. WindMotors' model represents what we might term "kinetic infrastructure"—systems that serve multiple purposes simultaneously. A roadside barrier becomes both a safety feature and a power generator. A highway median becomes both a traffic separator and an energy source.This multifunctionality represents a fundamental shift in how we conceive and value infrastructure.
Consider the parallel with Sweden's Öresund Bridge, mentioned in WindMotors' own materials. The bridge didn't just connect two points; it created an entirely new economic region. Similarly, roadside kinetic infrastructure doesn't just generate energy; it enhances the resilience, intelligence, and sustainability of transportation networks.
For municipalities, this means new revenue streams from existing assets. For transportation authorities, it means reduced operational costs through self-powered lighting and signage. And for Sweden's climate goals, it means accelerated progress toward renewable targets without additional land allocation.
Consider the parallel with Sweden's Öresund Bridge, mentioned in WindMotors' own materials. The bridge didn't just connect two points; it created an entirely new economic region. Similarly, roadside kinetic infrastructure doesn't just generate energy; it enhances the resilience, intelligence, and sustainability of transportation networks.
For municipalities, this means new revenue streams from existing assets. For transportation authorities, it means reduced operational costs through self-powered lighting and signage. And for Sweden's climate goals, it means accelerated progress toward renewable targets without additional land allocation.
The Road Ahead
With European patent applications in Climate Change Mitigation Technologies increasing by 8-12% annually, the sector is clearly ripe for innovation. WindMotors is positioned at the convergence of multiple trends: distributed energy, smart infrastructure, and circular economy principles.Their work proves that sometimes the most innovative solutions aren't about creating something entirely new, but about seeing existing systems with fresh eyes. The kinetic energy in our roadways—both from natural wind and vehicle-induced airflow—has been there all along. It took visionary young innovators to recognize it as the resource it truly is.
At our research center, we're watching this development with great interest and optimism. It represents precisely the kind of practical, scalable, system-integrated innovation that will define Sweden's next chapter of sustainable leadership. The road to our renewable future may indeed run literally through the roads themselves—and WindMotors is showing us how to travel it.
As COO of the Swedish Knowledge & Research Center with a focus on sustainable innovation, I've observed WindMotors' development with professional interest. Their approach exemplifies the systems thinking and practical implementation that distinguish truly transformative technologies.
For a firsthand look at the passion and vision behind this Swedish innovation, watch the founders' interview in Arabic on the Alkompis Channel.
Reference links
- WindMotors AB Official Site: https://www.windmotors.eu/
- Vinnova (Swedish Innovation Agency):
https://www.vinnova.se/ - Global Wind Energy Council: https://gwec.net/
- ·The Swedish Research Council: https://www.vr.se/
- Youtube video interview in Arabic with the inventors by Alkompis channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSIMtKz0FME