Directory:Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Overviews

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  Wind > Vertical Axis >
  Will Vertical Axis Wind Ever Scale Up? - Vertical-axis wind turbines have been around for thousands of years, yet we still haven't seen modern turbine producers make a dent in the wind market. This is partly due to a reputation of Bozos and Scheisters, which will diminish with more rigorous test results and a new small wind certification council. (Renewable Energy World; July 21, 2010)
  

Advantages

Vertical axis turbines have several advantages over the typical horizonal axis turbines,more information you can read the article Comparison of horizontal axis wind turbine with vertical axis wind turbine

• Can accept changes of wind direction with no problem.
• Generator can be on the ground for more easy access, rather than up in the air.
• Generally begin rotating at lower speeds
• Are more quiet
• Lower susceptibility to cross-winds

Disadvantages

Vertical axis turbines have several disadvantages over the typical horizonal axis turbines.

• Complicated in structure, failure rate high.
• wind energy efficiency is low.
• cost higher.

Companies

• Urban Green Energy - Fast growing international supplier, designer, and manufacturer of vertical axis wind turbines. [1]
  
  
  

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  Wind > Vertical Axis >
  WindCharger : Sauer Energy’s Cheap Vertical-Axis Turbine For Small Buildings To Be Launched - According to the company, the vertical axis wind turbine can be installed by a single worker, having few moving parts and its manufacturing price low. Unlike similarly-sized traditional horizontal-blade turbines, the WindCharger is able to produce energy at wind velocities that are as low as 5 mph. (Green Optimistic; September 7, 2011)
  

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  Featured: Wind > Vertical Axis >
  Vertical Axis Wind Turbine with Articulating Rotor - The Blackhawk Project's Tilt Rotor technology introduces a highly efficient method for inexpensively harnessing wind power. The blades have a wing shape, so they are propelled by the lift principle rather than push. The rotor angles automatically adjust or tilt to get the best attack. (PESWiki; April 16, 2010)
  

• Venger Wind - The Savonius turbine based design catches wind from all directions, is self-starting, nearly silent and does not need over speed control. Mounted up to 35 feet high, in winds as low as 10 mph the Helix system creates electricity to power your home or business. We created a vertical axis system that is elegant, quiet and safe for our winged friends.
  

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  Vortex / Wind > Farms > VAWT >
  Can This Egg Beater Double the Power Output of Wind Farms? - Wind Harvest International places three or more counter-rotating turbines next to each other to create a vortex. The small-scale cyclone that results effectively increases the available amount of harvestable energy. Could the placement of these on the ground within existing wind farms double the net output? (GreenTechMedia; March 24, 2010)
  

• GWG Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Manufacturer - Global Wind Group Inc. is providing design manufacturer of vertical axis wind turbines. Our Vertical Axis Wind Turbines help our clients produce dependable, clean wind energy at the best possible price.
  

• Shanghai Aeolus Windpower Technology Co., Ltd. （SAWT） Shanghai Aeolus Windpower Technology Co., Ltd. （SAWT）is an innovative company engaged in R&D, manufacturing and sales of vertical axis wind turbines. SAWT entered Shanghai in 2005 and began systematic research in aerodynamics, generators, materials and structures of VAWT. SAWTwill change the industrial structure and pattern of the world wind power industry.
  

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  Featured: Solar > Space-Based >
  Xenotech > First space-to-earth solar power station targeted for Oct. 2010 (Interview) - Sir Charles Shults of Xenotech Research describes their current projects, including assisting deployment of an orbital solar power station; ramping up for manufacturing of an affordable, modular 500W Solar Pod for purchase within six months; and designing a residential wind turbine expected to be 1/3 the cost of others. (PESN; June 24, 2009) (Comment at Examiner.com)
  

• Rooftop Wind Turbine Invention Seeks Support In Google Contest - http://www.clariantechnologies.com/ Clarian's Jellyfish Plug-In Wind Turbine] Seattle inventor Chad Maglaque has submitted the Jellyfish rooftop wind turbine to Google's 10th anniversary "Project 10 to the 100th" contest. (YouTube) (PhysOrg; Jan. 29, 2009)
  

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  Top 100 / Featured: Wind > Vertical Axis >
  Enviro Energies' magnetically levitated Mag-Wind™ system - Affordable wind turbine design by this North American company reduces friction, noise, vibration and energy losses, and generates power in low wind environments; is now going into production. (PESWiki; Jan. 23, 2009)
  

• Enviro Energies - Magnetically levitated wind turbine technology - reducing friction, noise, vibration and energy loss.

• Windterra - Their blade design optimizes the turbine’s performance at typical lower wind speeds while designs yield a lower annual power output at typical wind speeds. (YouTube) (Windterra; Oct 21. 2008)
  

• Mariah Power WindSpire 1.2kW - At 30 feet tall and 48" in diameter, the propeller-less WindSpire VAWT design produces 2000 kilowatt-hours per year at an average of 12mph of wind, is bird-safe, very quiet (8.8db at 50mph of wind), begins turning at 8 mph, and is rated to survive 100 mph gusts. The MSRP for the WindSpire is $4995. Additionally, an automatic brake system stops the unit from spinning too fast at 50mph of wind. (Mariah Power; Oct. 10, 2008)
  

• Aerogenerator turbine sets sail for a greener future - This egg-whisk-shaped Darrieus wind turbine will be built by aeronautical engineer David Sharpe and is a "vertical axis" wind turbine, dubbed the Aerogenerator. (Guardian.uk; Jan. 29, 2008)
  

• Tangarie Alternative Power's spiral wind turbine - The Greenpower Utility System line of vertical axis wind turbines produces up to 50% more electricity on an annual basis, generates electricity in winds as low as 4 mph (1.5 m/s), and continues to generate power in wind speeds up to 130 mph (60m/s). It withstands extreme weather such as frost, ice, sand, humidity; and is low-noise. (PESWiki)
  

• TESNIC vertical-axis wind turbine - The TESNIC is based on the principles of the Tesla turbine, extracting the wind power via adhesion, in addition to the classic drag and lift extraction, enabling it to achieve a very high efficiency, with the potential cost of electricity produced below the utility price. (PESWiki.com)
  

• Neo-AeroDynamic - New device harnesses torque from both kinetic and pneumatic energy of the fluid flow (wind or water). Since the 'lift' forces are caused by artificial flow of the fluid (air;wind/water) around the center of the turbine, the turbine's worst enemy -- turbulence -- is neutralized; making it ideal for urban/city roof top and backyard settings.

• TMA Global Wind Energy Systems - Vertical axis wind turbine design creates pull on the back side contributing to 40%+ wind conversion efficiencies, doesn't kill birds, runs more quietly, doesn't need to be installed as high, blends better with landscape. Cost-competitive with the best horizontal axis propeller designs. Going commercial.
  

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  Wind > Vertical Axis >
  Ettridge Wind Turbine - Australian inventor's turbine harnesses oncoming wind for 120 degrees of the turn, while the remaining 240 degrees is shielded by a skirt to cover the blades from oncoming wind. Meanwhile, overhead air scoops direct the air above the rotor down into the tunnel created by the rotor and wind shield. (PESWiki; Oct. 5, 2008)
  

• Mass Megawatts Wind Power - The Multi-Axis Turbosystem (MAT) is capable of generating electricity at 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour at an average wind speed of 15.5 miles per hour. It can withstand 120 mile per hour winds, and level four earthquakes.
  

• StatoEolien Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine - The power curve of this French design is surprisingly different than power curves for conventional turbines because the output increases until the velocity of the wind is above the lower hurricane levels.
  

• EnergyTower is a Mini Tornado Energy Device - The Energytower is said to be a controlled reproduction of a tornado inside a cylindrical tower.
  

• PacWind Vertical Axis Wind Turbine - SeaHawk has a rated median power of 1000 Watts. It comes with 3-Phase Rectifier Bridge and controller. Simply mount the turbine, add batteries, fuses, dump load and cabling, and your station is complete.
  

• quietrevolution - Virtually silent and vibration free, quietrevolution is ideally suited to both urban sites and exposed locations. The simple and robust design has just one moving part, maximising reliability and minimising maintenance requirements.
  • Tiny Turbines May Have a Bright Future - In 2007 the company produced its first rotors, and almost immediately began winning design and technical prizes. The German energy giant, RWE recently bought a small stake in the company. The output is still too low and at €30,000 per turbine, the price is still too high. (Spiegel Online; Sept 2, 2008)
    

• Sustainable Energy Technologies - The SES 250 Vertical Axis Wind Turbine is specifically designed to optimize the competitive advantages of the Darrieus type turbine. It is an uncomplicated wind turbine that can be easily transported to the site, installed without heavy equipment and maintained by individuals with basic electrical and mechanical skills.
  

• V.A.W.T. Industries - The V.A.W.T. Wind Turbine increases the wind speed and kinetic energy at the rotor with curved deflection blades, which allow the turbine to react to the slightest breeze and provide it with a much higher power output per given wind speed. The venturi effect eliminates backpressure on the return side of the rotor, which increases the overall torque.
  

• Solwind - The SW VAWT are extremely quiet in operation. At high wind speeds the SW VAWT series will start to stall, causing the machine to slow down at around 27 meters per second. In the 'stalling mode', the SW VAWT series will automatically maintain its output speed.
  

• Eurowind Developments - The Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Modular Unit (VAWTMU) could be utilized on old or new structures, on-shore or off-shore, in a wind farm or in an industrial area. Due to its simple modular construction the machine will cost less than its comparable Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine.
  

• Global Wind Technology has developed and is currently commercializing the world's first economically viable and scalable Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ("VAWT") electric generation system, based on proprietary air-foil/winged shaped blades made of composite materials and special direct-drive Permanent Magnet Generators.
  

• SpiralAirFoil Wind Turbine - Patent pending design put forth by Dan Parker is in the R&D phase, with expectation of going to market in 2008.
  

• Wind Harvest is focusing on commercializing its 50-foot tall, 500kW six-turbine Windstar 1400 Array for installation beneath tall turbines in high wind resource wind farms.
  

• enecom - The design of the blades is based on Professor Seki's innovative aerodynamics theory. It utilizes less, slower and variable directional wind. As a result, it enables the production of more energy and more stable production.
  

• Wind Rotor - Utilizes winds of all directions in the range from 3 m/s to 50 m/s; the generator, gearbox etc. are on the ground level; no yaw mechanism required (to turn the rotor against the wind); self-starting; low-maintenance.
  

• Dermond - WindStor vertical axis wind turbine features three curving blades coming together at the top of the mast, combining grace, beauty, strength and efficiency. It has advantages over other wind turbine technologies for urban applications.
  

• Ropatec windrotors do not have to be braked, not even during storm gusts. They start at a wind speed of just 2-3 m/s. Because of its simple and reliable construction, the windrotor does not need any regular maintanance. See also The Strand Wind Project - The Ropatec was the chosen turbine because it had an aesthetic that permitted its use in an urban area. It is also rated for very high wind speeds. It is claimed that the wind rotor will still produce energy in winds up to 230 kmh!
  

• GC Power - By combining multiple turbines into structures called “WindWalls", GC Power can generate electricity in locations where current wind-farming technology is not feasible, such as the tops of buildings and off-shore platforms.
  

• Vertical Wind Turbine Technologies - Windcrank - a series of "blades" capture impulse wind energy. Deflectors are placed on the tip of each blade to boost power and a flywheel effect. A deflector directs the wind forces to the inside of the blades and diverts wind from the back side. Louvers provide a sail effect for increased turbine efficiency.
  

• New Rooftop Wind Turbine Tested - The Helyx Wind Generator is composed of two twisted wings of bright green fiberglass that rotate around a vertical axis, designed to take advantage of low wind speeds, with an estimated production cost of $1.50 per watt. The 40-inch tall turbines will be tested on the rooftops at Portland State University, to see if they adequately harvest energy in an urban environment. (MetaEfficient)

• Vertical axis wind turbine bucks horizontal trend - Construction is currently under way this month on a rare wind energy project, a 200 kilowatt (kW) vertical-axis wind turbine outside a large residential complex in Michigan. (Renewable Energy Access; July 10, 2006)
  

• ‘Windy City’ is testing rooftop turbine power - "Aeroturbines", with double-helix rotors caged in cylinders instead of exposed blades, is intended to limit bird kills, ice buildup, roof-rattling vibrations and howling noise. (Gulf Times; May 30, 2006)
  

• vertical-axis wind turbines nearing market - Vertical axis wind turbine especially developed for roof tops on high buildings. Small, transparent, low noise, vibration-free, low maintenance, installs without need for crane. (Nov. 2005)
  

• Aerowind Systems - Aerospiral is designed for urban environments where wind speeds are lower and wind directions change frequently. The plate generator and sprial blades provide good performance in turbulent winds and reduce noise and vibration for use on buildings.
  

Research and Development

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  Wind > VAWT / Lighting > LEDs >
  Dean Kamen files patent application for an inflatable, illuminated wind turbine - In addition to generating energy for general use, the turbine would also be able to power a set of LEDs adorning the turbine itself, which could be used to display advertising or other information using a persistence of vision effect. The application even suggests that multiple turbines could be linked together and synchronized to form one large billboard. (Engadget; September 17, 2011)
  

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  Energy from Roadways / Wind > Vertical Axis >
  E Turbine uses air movement caused by moving cars to generate energy - Industrial designer Pedro Gomes has conceptualized a product that can utilize vehicles to generate renewable energy on the highway. The concept is simple: wind generated from passing vehicles turns the E Turbine, which charges a battery, which powers the lights along the roadway as well as information panels and emergency phones. (EcoFriend; Oct. 9, 2010)
  

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  Wind > VAWT / Largest / Offshore >
  Massive Aerogenerator Turbine is 3X More Powerful - A new design called the Aerogenerator X would have a massive span of 275 meters and would produce a whopping ten megawatts of electricity — that’s three times the production capacity of typical modern commercial horizontal axis turbines, making it more viable for off-shore applications. (Inhabitat; July 26, 2010)
  

• Wind & Star Energy - Claims: Wind & Star Energy is a wind energy company based in Amargosa Valley, Nevada. They claim to have a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) design that is superior to other companies' models. There is some reason for concern: They claim to have a pending patent on a "Hydrabine Fluid Drive Power Accelerator", which sounds bogus, and their website does not provide diagrams or scientific explanations for their technology. (Jul. 2009).
  

Open Source

• Raymond Cross-Flow-Blower Vertical Axis Wind Turbine - Frank Raymond wishes to pass the baton on his studies to someone else. Tested prototype.
  

Applications

• Helix looking to use mobile phone towers for wind energy generation - Later this month, Helix Wind Corporation will deliver its first test wind turbines to Eltek Network Solutions Group for installation at two test sites in Nigeria. The turbines will provide a clean energy solution for mobile phone towers and if tests prove successful, could see wind power being rolled out to hundreds of sites over the next few years. (Gizmag; October 3, 2009)
  

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  Wind > VAWT / Human-Powered > Pedal Power >
  Wind-Human Hybrid Rickshaw Speeding Down the Streets of Nepal - The wind-human hybrid rickshaw work using windmills made from drum which will rotate when the pedicab began to walk. The windmill is connected to the rear wheels with a side-mounted gear, so when the drum began to rotate its will helps in acceleration, making it easier for the pedicab driver to pedal. (EarthAlternate; June 7, 2010)
  

Other Applications Besides Electricity

Water from Air

Max Whisson's Gust Water Trap Apparatus - The Whisson vertical windmill cools the air passing through the whirling blades. As it does so, a proprietary process collects condensate, yielding fresh water from the air.