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Alternative Wind Technologies. Vicki Rybl. Shortcomings of Traditional Design. Modern day wind turbines are evolving into larger models which require very large blades, gearboxes, and complex generators.
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Alternative Wind Technologies Vicki Rybl
Shortcomings of Traditional Design • Modern day wind turbines are evolving into larger models which require very large blades, gearboxes, and complex generators. • The size of these turbines causes a need for significant capital for their installation – including manufacturing, transport, construction and maintenance. (1) • Traditional turbines are only efficient in very windy climates and locales, which makes wind power ineffective in other areas • Community criticism often stems from claims of: • Illness due to disruptive low-frequency noise from the rotating blades • Shadow flicker on nearby homes • Evidence points to the fact that someday the traditional turbine design will be looked upon as an “awkward first try,” (4).
KiteGen • This system is still in prototype stage • It consists of a kite which generates energy when the wind catches it • This generates energy by moving the central rotor of the unit, particularly when in a carousel (circular) configuration. • The large surface area of the kites allows for more energy production at lower wind speeds. (2) A digital rendering of a carousel configuration of the KiteGen system. (2)
AVX400 Turbine • AeroVironment’s design consists of an array of small turbines atop a building • The turbines are installed at an angle to catch wind as it travels up the building’s façade • Generates up to 50% higher wind speeds than there would be without the building present. • The system strives to solve the issue of aesthetics – building owners would install the AVX400 with the intention of having it a prominent part of the building as a whole. (3) In 2008, an array of AVX1000 turbines was installed at Logan Airport in Boston, MA (3)
FloDesignWind Turbine • This turbine design was created by aerospace engineers and is modeled after a jet engine. • Available wind is sucked into and funneled through a fast-spinning rotor • Each jet pack is estimated to harvest three to four times more energy than an equivalent traditional wind turbine. • Since the air is pulled through and not around these jet turbines, the turbine density per installation can be much greater than traditional wind farms. (4) A artist’s rendering of the FloDesign turbine. (5)
Additional Technologies • Vertical-axis wind turbines generate less energy than traditional turbines, but can be designed in more aesthetically pleasing manners and cause less noise disturbance as they operate at much lower speeds. • Vertical blades are able to move much more easily due to the lack of interference from gravity (6) • Tidal generation is secondary wind power • Energy converters are placed below the ocean’s surface to capture energy from the movement of waves. • Kite technology operates by harnessing energy from wind that passes through the surface of the kite in flux (4)
Sources Cited • Alfred L Weisbrich, “Alternative wind power : A next generation wind power technology?” Refocus, March 2002, Volume 3 Issue 2, pp26-30. • M. Caliano, L. Fagiano, M. Milanese, “KiteGen: A revolution in wind energy generation,” Energy, March 2009, Volume 34 Issue 3, pp355-561. • NadavMalin, “Wind Turbines on the Parapet,” Environmental Building News, August 2006, Volume 15 Issue 8. • David Ferris, “Innovate: New Designs in Wind Power.” Sierra, May/June 2010, Volume 95 Issue 3, p27. • Jim Kinney, “FloDesign Wind Turbine Corp.-Western New England College partnership gets $1 million in federal funding,” November 2009; http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/11/flodesign _wind_turbine_corp-we.html. • Sonal Patel, “Changing Winds: The Evolving Wind Turbine.” Power, April 2011, Volume 155 Issue 4, pp38-44.
Reflective Note The intended audience of this informative presentation is a group of professionals at a company involved with the design or implementation of traditional wind turbines and farms. It is designed to be used internally, to advise on next steps for business development or simply to stay aware of progress in the wind energy field. Much of the information on the shortcomings of traditional wind turbines will be a reiteration for the audience, but examples and discussion of new technologies could very well be a new learning experience. In no way is the list of examples to be considered exhaustive, and one of the goals of this presentation is to foster individual exploration of additional methods of harvesting wind energy. Studying alternative wind energy generation methods can be very beneficial to those working in the traditional turbine field, as it can incorporate successful aspects of new designs into the company’s turbine design. Specifically, this slideshow is meant to be presented during an internal meeting, as a part of a status or general informational meeting. While it contains news pertaining to the development of wind energy, it serves mostly as an overview and review of available technologies. The presentation is cited in IEEE format.
