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Donut shaped modification makes wind generators more efficient » Coolest Gadgets

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Donut shaped modification makes wind generators more efficient » Coolest Gadgets
Description
Wind power is a viable alternative for green energy – particularly in arid areas where there’s plenty of wind, but little of anything else. Trouble is, that wind turbines aren’t as efficient as they should and need to be. A company named Leviathan Energy seems to have a very simply way to improve the efficiency of wind turbines … and it involves donuts.

Based on computer models, Leviathan has designed a plastic and metal don’t skirt which, after affixed around the base of each turbine, will direct air flow directly into the optimal area for the Wind Turbine blades to operate. The result is more air going across the blade airfoils and more energy being harvested as a result. How much more? Leviathan estimates that power output of an average wind turbine can be increased on order of magnitude from 15-30% and at lower wind speeds. Meaning that in light wind conditions that Wind turbines may actually be still and unused, they can now harvest enough energy to increase outputs by up to 150%.
Original URL
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20090508/donut-shaped-modification-wind-generators-efficient/

Comments

  • Public Comments

    • JDP JDP
      7 months ago


      More green jobs to retrofit current wind turbines!?
      Alternative Energy, Shades of Green, Green Business and Investing, Green Jobs - Green Economy, alternative energy, Green, techMix

    • Andrea Catalucci Andrea Catalucci
      7 months ago


      I don't think this solution will be successful. These skirts mean greater size, ambient deturpation (they deviate a large part of the wind, in some cases it could be harmful and they are objectively UGLY) and require too much engineering. Nice try, nothing more.
      Alternative Energy

      • Phil Duby Phil Duby
        7 months ago


        Given the existing controversies about where to put wind turbines, and people not wanting to live too close to them, unless that 'greater size' encroaches on the space needed by a neighboring turbine, I do not see a problem. Deviating the wind is the whole point. When deployed 'in the wild', the donuts could 'look' considerably different than the development models. At least color is unimportant to its function. shape is, texture could be.

        Too much engineering? What sense? The calculation of the shape for the 'local' conditions is just a computer model. The actual construction seems straight forward.
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    • . .•∞º˙ . .•∞º˙
      7 months ago


      I saw this as well and was thinking that perhaps this type of deflection system could simply be incorporated into the landscape--create the cones from the surrounding ground and do away with the whole plastic and metal wind scoop thing. That would at least address the ascetic concerns, although beauty is in the eye...Some people don't even consider the presence of a wind generating turbine as 'beautiful'. Look at all the controversy and battles going on with the ones being developed for Nantucket Sound.
      Alternative Energy

    • Richard Murray
      7 months ago


      Or you can just locate the generators on a hill and get the same effect.
      Alternative Energy

      • Phil Duby Phil Duby
        7 months ago


        As long as the hill is the right 'shape'. Putting the 'hill' where you want allows higher density of turbines to harvest the wind energy.
        Alternative Energy

    • JDP JDP
      7 months ago


      Interesting comments! Thanks.

      It could be that where the turbines are will make use of such a system more or less acceptable (deserts for instance).

      The other possible benefit could be security (incorporate fencing). In India, for instance, there is a huge problem with theft of metal and wiring from remotely placed wind turbines. Currently, very expensive hardened doors (with sensors / monitors) are used, so that in the time it usually takes to breach the doors a helicopter can get to the site to stop the theft. Pushing the security further out (and getting some additional generation benefit) could help.
      Alternative Energy
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