Thursday 6 September 2007

Wind turbines get a lift

Waste Management & Environment
August, 2007 Page: 12

The Mecraro company from Japan has begun large-scale production of the world's first wind turbine based on the principle of the Magnus effect, enabling the turbine to turn using lift generated by spinning cylinders with spiral fins instead of the usual propeller-like blades. The lift of the Vortes-model is four times that of conventional propeller-type wind turbines, helping the turbine operate at any wind speed. Thanks to the greater lift, its rotational speed can be reduced to about 25 per cent of a conventional turbine, resulting in lower noise levels. Low rotational speed also reduces wear and vulnerability to damage from aerial objects. Japan for Sustainability reports the design reduces power-generating costs to 45 yen (about 44 cents) per kilowatt.

More: www.japanfs.org/db/1776-e

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