Green Leaf Find us on Google+ Web Analytics

Facebook like button

Green Leaf Headline Animator

Thursday, May 3, 2012

VAWT (Vertical Axis Wind Turbines) coming in the near future


Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT) could become a reality for us all in 2012. As the name implies these are a wind turbine with the axis turned vertically, unlike the wind turbines of present.

The largest advantage of VAWT is that they are able to produce electricity in much lower wind speed than a traditional wind turbine does. Here is a picture of a VAWT, compliments of the folks over at Wikipedia:
image courtesy of wikipedia, I believe this is a <b>vertical axis wind turbine</b> which is installed somewhere in quebec canada
This particular VAWT is installed in Cap-Chat, Quebec Canada. I see nothing in this article which tells us what its output rating is. VAWT's are more specifically called 'transverse axis wind turbine', the other advantage to using this design is that the gearbox and generator are near the ground and thus much, much easier to work on than the traditional wind turbines are.

Now that I have discussed the advantages to having a VAWT, I would not feel a though I have done a thorough job unless I talk about the disadvantages of such. VAWTs have been known to stall in gusty conditions and have been prone to blade failure. Currently scientist are working to satisfy this blade breaking problem. They are actually using computer simulations to try to determine the root cause of VAWT blade failure and I for one hope they are successful in doing so. I will now show you a 5kw wind turbine again thanks to Wikipedia for this one also:
here is a picture of a five killowatt vertical axis wind turbine
Do these not look much more aesthetically pleasing to you? They sure do to me and I hope that we can get the PTC extended and install many more of these residentially! VAWT's are a thing of the future.

3 comments:

  1. We are working on a vertical axis wind farm project in California. Our design is different than what you are familiar with and we will be able to manufacturer 4kw models well below the current retail installed pricing. Our vawt is scaleable for greater kw models. It has been in development for 7 years. Things are under non disclosure agreements right now so I am unable to provide solid information. Stay in touch and I will fill you in as information becomes public. Ronjf1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just out of curiosity are you relying on the technology which Levant Power is designing right now-- i.e. similar to what they are deploying in car's shocks? Just curious.

      Delete
    2. I am really looking forward to what you all design and make; please keep me abreast of any developments that you all have on your system

      Delete