Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines: The Future of Micro Wind? with video

[hefler]

Walking the floor of WINDPOWER 2008, the annual conference and trade show for the wind energy industry, one couldn’t help but be transfixed by all of the different types of turbines - at least I couldn’t. The wind turbine has become the iconic symbol of clean, renewable energy. But the classic three-bladed turbine horizontal axis wind turbine, with...

Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines: The Future of Micro Wind? [w/video] : CleanTechnica

[forfismum]

I think tests were done using sails in a similar fashion to drive an oil tanker. Must dig out details,I think it was before interweb linkies were invented so it may be a paper chase ! As I recall the sails were more effective than than in the traditional configuration.

[LMagic007]

See also the Helix wind turbine type

Bringing Wind Power Down To Earth : Ecopreneurist

[forfismum]

Using my special powers I have found this ship from c1970-80 Shin Aitoku Maru ,not the one I had in mind but just something for you to look at.This managed to save about 15% on fuel over 3 years before it was sold to China where the sails were chopped off and eaten.

[forfismum]

You want verticle? heres one from 7th century PersiaMeseporamia [Ok its a replica,so what?] which is why the USA is in there right now.Its not about oil folks,its about verticle windmill technology

[Windguy]

There is a reason why we only see HAWT's around. It's because they are 52% efficient compared to the best VAWT's of 30%. Why new designs don't come around and become profitable? (Bets)sic?? Law which shows only 59% is the maximum amount of energy able to be taken from the wind. It's a law like thermodynamics and can't be broken.

After Professor David Woods told me that, I was quite depressed to know something revolutionary may not come after all.

[LMagic007]

What about in the built up urban setting where the winds are less clean, in more ways than one ? I read somewhere that VAWTs might be better suited to that environment. i.e. more updrafts, wind coming from more varied angles etc... It might be interesting to see what design performs best under such conditions, if at all. The Helix VAWTs appear like they might make better use of more turbulent wind.

[Windguy]

That's the other thing he said about, turbulance is tiny compared to the overall wind energy. So there is no point.

But I didn't ask him if VAWT's are better at handling the damaging vibrations that could arise from turbulance which may be a point to consider.