# Chimney-Top Turbines The ChimChum Wind Vane is Great for Harnessing Energy Off the Grid By Amelia Roblin | Published 2011-04-27 | Updated 2011-04-30 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chimchum-wind-vane References: [ecofriend](http://www.ecofriend.com/entry/introducing-chimchum-a-naturalistic-wind-generator-to-serve-your-country-home/) & [skuf](http://www.skuf.co.uk/Skuf/ChimChum.html) Whether your interest is in low-impact living or you're simply cut off from the grid, the ChimChum Wind Vane is an effective way of making a small contribution to the energy you consume. The ChimChum Wind Vane is composed of three very basic parts including a generator case, the screw and the top cover through which smoke may escape. It can be installed simply with little instruction. Tom Postlethwaite designed this wind turbine to mimic the shape of helicoptering sycamore seeds, and the four-blade object is engineered to catch the wind with the same ease. The wind-powered rotor will be made from a very durable but lightweight carbon fiber resin, and even the lightest breezes and emissions from the fireplace will be enough to get the piece propelling. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 60% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Renewable Energy:** The ChimChum Wind Vane demonstrates the potential for small-scale renewable energy generation, even in off-grid settings. - **Sustainable Living:** The ChimChum Wind Vane aligns with the trend of low-impact living by offering an effective way for individuals to contribute to their own energy consumption. - **Innovative Design:** The design of the ChimChum Wind Vane, inspired by helicoptering sycamore seeds, showcases a disruptive approach to wind turbine aesthetics and functionality. ### Where This Applies - **Renewable Energy:** The ChimChum Wind Vane has potential applications in the renewable energy industry, particularly for small-scale off-grid energy generation. - **Home Improvement:** The ChimChum Wind Vane can cater to the growing demand for sustainable home improvement solutions that allow individuals to reduce their reliance on traditional energy sources. - **Industrial Design:** The innovative design and engineering of the ChimChum Wind Vane provide opportunities for disruption and advancement in the field of industrial design. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mast-Mounted Wind Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grain-blanc.md) - [Wind Turbine Compact Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blademade.md) - [Travel-Ready Wind Turbines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wind-turbine-generator.md) - [Portable Wind Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Portable-Wind-Generator.md) - [Turbine-Based Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blademade-1.md) - [Single-Blade Offshore Wind Turbines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/singleblade-offshore-wind-turbine.md) - [Portable Wind Turbine Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shine-20.md) - [Sustainable EV Charging Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/change-wind-corporation.md) - [DIY Robotics Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/windbots.md)