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We're starting to get used to wind turbines...not just the idea of getting a significant portion of our energy from the breeze, but also to their form on the horizon. But while the traditional tri-blade has its advantages, there are those who would see it replaced.
Though we've entered the realm of rapid growth, the innovation phase is far from over, so here are a few of the more radical designs for wind-capturing devices out there. The huge, the odd, and the ingenious.
The MagTurbine is the largest concept for a wind turbine that has ever come across our editorial desk. By using permanent magnets to eliminate all friction, the MagTurbine can theoretically be as huge as it needs to be. In fact, the optimal size, apparently, has a base of roughly 100 acres. Yes, it's a wind turbine the size of a small town...but it could conceivably produce enough power (1 GW) to light a medium-sized city.
Significantly less huge, but still huge (and a lot more feasible) is the Grimshaw Aerogenerator. Aside from needing someone with a degree in fluid dynamics to figure out how exactly this gigantic TV antenna is supposed to capture wind power, it's pretty exciting. The idea is to keep the number of installations down by creating larger turbines. This design by Grimshaw Architecture might be rated as high as 9 megawatts, about two times the power output of today's largest turbines.
Getting smaller, but staying just as weird, we have the Flo-Design, shrouded turbine. Resembling a jet engine, Flo-Design says that their turbine creates far less turbulence than traditional turbines, can capture significantly more of the wind, be spaced closer together in wind farms, and can be deconstructed to fit on one truck. The biggest disadvantage is that no one has ever seen a working prototype outside of this awesome 3D animation.
We've seen our fair share of building-integrated wind turbines, but this one takes the cake. By filling in a space between each level with a scoop that will capture the wind, the designers of this rotating tower (currently under construction in Dubai) say that the tower will actually be able to power itself. EcoGeek remains skeptical about the claims, but it's certainly one of the weirdest turbines I've yet seen.
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Last on the list for today is the Magenn Blimp Turbine. We've seen our fair share of tether based kite turbines, and while Magenn's blimp might not be the weirdest, it's certainly the closest to actual implementation, with a test blimp currently in operation and plans to start gathering power from a blimp farm next year. Each blimp is lighter than air and conducts the generated electricity to the ground via an electrical cable that also tether's the blimp to the ground. They flight at between 90 m and 200 m, allowing them to get at higher winds without the need for all that excess steel and carbon fiber.
To be honest, when we were going through our archives, I was stunned at how many weird-ass wind turbines I found, so I think this is likely going to be just the first part of a two, possibly three part series. So if you want to see some more weird ass wind turbines, keep your eyes on EcoGeek or sign up for our RSS feed.
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written by Brian, September 08, 2008
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written by Robert Pritchett, September 08, 2008
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written by Jiffy Lube, September 08, 2008
Jiff
www.anonymize.us.tc
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written by Rainy, September 08, 2008
If your kids can't handle a little ass, be a parent and supervise them. Don't leave it up to the rest of the community.
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written by Travis Pulley, September 08, 2008
@brian - back in my day I learned what "ass" meant after my dad yelled at me. I had to go ask a few people before one was willing to tell me what it meant. If only I had the internet, I could have been confused into thinking it had something to do with wind turbines.
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written by Ass, September 09, 2008
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written by verycool..., September 09, 2008
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written by Lo, September 09, 2008
Is your kid going to be traumatized from seeing the word "ass"? What makes you think everyone else should conform to your idea of what is appropriate or not "offensive"?
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written by Ken Roberts, September 09, 2008
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written by Jim, September 10, 2008
Rainy, he and he kids ruined what for you? "your internet"? Since you own it why did you give Brian and his children access????
Brian asked, he did not force anything on you. And he is an involved parent, thats why he brought it to the attention of others here that this is a family pursuit in his household (very commendable).
Jim
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written by lara, September 11, 2008
Nice turbines, by the way.
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written by Jake, September 11, 2008
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written by Dave, September 11, 2008
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written by Brian, September 11, 2008
Back to the main subject, I look at the sheer number of wind turbine designs out there and wonder how the three-blade design came to be so dominant. Looking at them from the front, they appear to have very little blade surface to catch the wind, especially compared to some others. It seems logical to me that a design incorporating far more surface area at the blades would be more efficient.
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written by Juan, September 11, 2008
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written by Gregory, September 11, 2008
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written by greenspeechie, September 11, 2008
http://xkcd.com/37/
My mind went to it instantly.
Lovely article, by the way.
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written by shaggy, September 12, 2008
The chosen title shows the ignorance of the author.
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written by ShawanoDad, September 12, 2008
Now, back to the focus... how about a report on wind turbines currently available? Preferably something that would install on my garage and not make the neighbors complain. (I don't happen to have 100 acres to plant magnets in ;-)
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written by Bill, September 13, 2008
Dad had what looked like a miniature windmill, on the roof of our barn, a supply of glass cased, lead cored battery's connected to a generator connected to the miniature windmill, this was before REA got electricity to our farm, but it worked and was built before the 50's possibly much further back, and it worked, may not hurt to look at some of that old technology used by the farmers, and update it. they made many things work out of we have to. and Please remember, don't bitch at the farmer with a full belly. his pocket book has been very empty for many decade's now as he fed the world.
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written by JDamon, September 16, 2008
Just a couple of requests though. First off can you find the most loudest, audible offensive wind turbine. I have a neighbor that really deserves such an invention.
Secondly, if it wouldn't change your articles too much. I don't mind the word ass so much (although arse really annoys me) but if you could please not use the letter "A" as it really offends me. Vowels are horrible and rhyme with bowels which no one wants to hear from and "a" is the worst as it is a part of sooo many dirty words. So if you please, refrain from utilizing this irrespectable charcter.
My kool-aid induced satirical thanks,
Avid reader
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written by Carolyn, September 21, 2008
I have never found comments more entertaining than the original article in question! Thanks to Hank for writing the article. Thanks to Avid Reader for the entertainment.
Although if we refrain from using the letter "a", you would become Vid Reder.
Lol
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written by LCinLA, September 22, 2008
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written by AB, October 20, 2008
It's got a fabric blade structure and comes in a wide range of colors, including a transparent version. There are lots of ways to get power from the wind, so it's great to see all the innovation!
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Good turbine round-up. Dozens more here:
http://peswiki.com/energy/Dire...chnologies
I'm developing the HeliWind. Your comments highly valued!
Geoff