Baiwind is already working in Orduña on the design of a wind turbine that will combine the production of wind and solar energy

Society is advancing by leaps and bounds. What years ago was an utopia, for example Web 2.0, today is a reality. Since Internet expanded its network all over the world, it has been shown us as an encompassing environment. It could be said that humans have conquered the planet in its entirety by overcoming temporal and geographical barriers for a key activity in our development such as trade.

In the same sense, the energy model is changing. More and more energy is needed and the appearance of renewable sources is a determining factor for taking care of our environment and improving our quality of life.

Opportunity for the mini-wind power

“Wind, light and water are free; why should we pay so much for energy if these resources are at our reach?”, explains Iñaki Garaio, founding partner, together with Mikel Robles, of Baiwind, a company based in Biscay (located in Orduña), which is the only one that works in the design and manufacture of wind power turbines, specifically, mini-wind power. “When you need something that you don’t have to obtain energy, – analyses Iñaki –, you are not self-sufficient and you have to buy it. We give to the customer, precisely, the chance to be autonomous when he/she wants to have access to energy; we avoid them barriers to obtain it. We provide solutions”.

Wind is a determining factor in renewable energy. Where there is wind, there is energy and Baiwind develops the tool that captures and provides it. “We deliver wind energy to the user. Self-consumption; what you generate is for you”.

The main difference between Baiwind wind turbines from a technical point of view is that they offer high performance, safety, quiet operation and low maintenance. Furthermore, from an economic perspective, which is also very important for the user, they present a high quality-price ratio. “We get it – Iñaki says – thanks to serial manufacturing”. Baiwind is the only company that manufactures different solutions using a modular system to satisfy the user and that has an autonomous gear change system in its machines. “We try to implement successful ways of working used in other sectors and that, in our case, provide us a differentiation in terms of competition”.

Orduña, an strategic location

They established in Orduña at the end of last year. A strategically chosen location. A privileged place due to its climate that makes them easier to show their designs. Their goals for 2016 are ambitious. They intend to go from selling 15 mini-wind turbines to 100. A great forecast that is based on the contacts they have had with clients in Japan, India, Argentina and Central America.

European projects

If these sales expectations in new markets were fulfilled, they would complete the internationalization process that began in 2014. Precisely because they have the best mini-wind technology, they have been invited to participate in two European level projects: LIFE COOP2020, to use mini-wind power in agriculture and EUROSTAR HY-POWERBOX, in upland livestock.

The managers of Baiwind are aware of the importance of continuous improvement in design and manufacturing and they are very committed to that. They are already working on the design of a wind turbine whose metal structure can accommodate solar panels to combine both energy sources and offer the user a comprehensive solution.

To get to the present moment, Baiwind partners have made great efforts, both economically and in working hours. In 2009 they started their journey and, a year later, they decided to visit Seed Capital Bizkaia to get the institutional support they needed to make their way. “Thanks to them, we achieved the seriousness that any company needs when you visit clients. Having that support with you is as decisive as receiving the help of the technology centres that exist here, which put a human team at your fingertips that helps you to lead the projects”, says Iñaki Garaio. The results are already tangible: in 2011, Baiwind won the APTE Business Innovation award, granted by the Spanish Technological Parks Association.