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Wind Turbines for 500 years

Great news this week from the world of wind Turbines, with the commerical unveiling of the MagLev wind turbine, at the Wind Power Asia Expo in Beijing.

What makes this wind turbine so unique – apart from its size - is that it uses magnetic levitation to hold the vertically oriented blades making the need and use of conventional bearings, obsolete.

Nothing new to Nikola Teslar fans (eh whot)… more likely a sigh of relief (about time, right?).

With the future of our world in question due to global warming and a rapidly depleting ozone layer, the developed world is left more vulnerable than ever, especially as our lifestyles continue to rely heavily on the comforts provided by the discovery of coal and oil. Ironically, this in turn is also fueling a symbiotic dependance on new energy sources and resources from the third world sectors, in order to sustain those lifestyles.

There is little doubt that the MagLev Wind Turbine will help in a major way, to alleviating many pending problems, for both worlds.

This amazing ‘next generation’ of wind turbine, is capable of generating power from wind speeds as low as 1.5 metres per second, with ‘cut-in speeds of 3 m/s. Because of its behemoth size (note small helicopter in the top of the picture), in winds averaging 40 m/s, '...the Maglev increases generation capacity by 20% at the same time decreasing operational costs by 50% over the traditional wind turbine.' That brings the cost of electricity to a staggering low, of less than 0.4 Yuan (less than US$ 5 cents), per kilowatt!

And because the Maglev needs no bearings, the manufacturers also claim that this particular turbine will be operational for 500 years.

Better and better.

Of course there are sceptics who ‘…dispute many of these claims, instead, believing that the vertical axis of the wind turbine has some serious design flaws. Some have even suggested that the Maglev will perform far below the claimed figures.

Some opposing traditionalists, ‘experts’ and critics believe that it has too many blades, leaving the turbine to ‘look "solid"’ to the wind,' as it speeds up in strong winds?’

I’m not sure what model they are using to imagine that the wind can discern whether a wall is solid or not, and if so, whether or not to avoid it, if it is?

The truth is, that Maglev turbines have so many advantages over conventional wind turbines, it's not funny. The very first of which, is that next to its wide range of 'cut-in' operating wind speeds, one MagLev turbine can generate one giggawatt of power, compared to the miniscule 5 megawatts of power that conventional turbines are capable of producing in the same time/space/wind speed.

That equates to just one Maglev turbine providing power for as many as 750,000 homes!

As with all the new infrastructure we will need to establish ourselves as a species of the 22nd Century, the only prohibitive factor is the innitial cost, but that isn’t stopping Arizona Maglev Turbine Technologies from building one, with a small price tag of US$53 million.

However, the world’s largest commerical production site for maglev wind turbines, began this week in China. Reports say that Zhongke Hengyuan Energy Technology, has invested 400 million Yuan into building the facility that is set to produce maglev wind turbines with capacities ranging from 400 to 5,000 Watts. (I hope they included some Waste Heat Recovery equipment in that plant?).

You gotta hand it to the Chinese when it comes to the contraditction of innovation and pollution, haven’t you?

There is also speculation of eventually ‘floating’ wind turbines at sea this week, during a Siemens deal, where they reportedly signed the largest ever offshore wind turbines deal, in which 140 Siemens, 3.6 megawatts turbines, will be ready for delivery to the north sea by 2009 and 2010.

I’d say that wind power is here at last and coming to a town near you!

Further reading :

(link) Student invents radical Wind Turbine

(link) I gigawatt Wind Turbines

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November 30th 2007 @ 02:59

Posted By: Lilla - Category: Environmental

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Comments

22 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Flick Wit

1. November 30th 2007 @ 03:17. Michaelie Says:

I hadn't heard of any of these things Lilla - very innovative. And as well as being more effective they will probably receive less opposition from people who live near sites off proposed widespread windfarms won't they?

Michaelie

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2. November 30th 2007 @ 03:24. Harry Says:

So one is definitely going to be built in Arizona? Fantastic! I think I'd travel to the states to see that.

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3. November 30th 2007 @ 03:27. Harry Says:

I also love the fact that the new engineer joining AMTT is called Mr Blow!

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4. November 30th 2007 @ 07:07. Lilla Says:

Hi Michaelie,

Absolutely, although I suspect they might hum a bit, who knows?

Actually humming is a good warning for birds and I imagine that the Maglev would be freindlier to native species than those big bladed ones, which are silent, at high altitude, and just chop them up.

I agree that they really look friendly to the eye, don't they?

Thanks for your comment.

Lilla ...

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5. November 30th 2007 @ 07:17. Lilla Says:

Hi Harry,

Yep indeedy, exciting isn't it, although I'm sure it'll be really WELL publicised. (ad nuseum)

Hopefully one in Australia too? ...*chuckle* perhaps a good test of a more rational government... I guess for uz, it'll depend on how low China can get the price, but with the drought causing another $160 p.a. increase in energy bills across the Australian board announced today, I think it should be sooner than later.

*lol* Yeah, it's almost too nutty to be taken for real, isn't it? (Larry Blow) *chuckle*

Thanks for your comments

Lilla ...

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6. November 30th 2007 @ 07:18. Michaelie Says:

Yes, more agreeable than the others, though I don't even mind them so much, except when they are in mass proportions it can be overwhelming - changes the view a bit.

I hadn't even thought of the birds; good point Lilla.

I guess the people that do will just keep tinkering away trying to find the best solution for everybody and everything.

No worries

7. November 30th 2007 @ 07:48. Mountain Fog Says:

About time someone got onto the whole magnetic aspect! There is a Japanese guy (might have told you before) who is working on an electric engine driven by opposing magnets.

The wind turbines, brilliant. Send it to the new Minister for Energy or whatever they call it.

cheers

fog

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8. November 30th 2007 @ 07:59. Lilla Says:

Hi Fog,

Yes you have. Tesla thought of it too, ages ago and I have a video on how magnets create current. I have a torch too that works on this same principle and never needs batteries ... I guess it's all a matter of declining oil allowing these things to come out of the secreted vaults, eh?

*lol* good idea, I too love anything to do with wind and sun as sources of energy, it just seems so... natural.

Thanks for commenting,

Lilla ...

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9. November 30th 2007 @ 13:57. Arnold Says:

A very thoroughly researched post Lilla. Thanks for the great read!

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10. December 1st 2007 @ 06:20. Lilla Says:

thank you Arnold,

..that is a lovely compliment and makes it even more worthwhile.

I hope you enjoy many more as I delve into the future prospects of our species, we are at such an exciting time of change in that respect...

Thanks again for your comment.

Lilla ...

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11. December 1st 2007 @ 19:00. D. Armenta Says:

Being a fan of Tesla's work myself, it's gratifying to see someone give him credit, Lilla!

Thanks for the very educational post!

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12. December 1st 2007 @ 21:20. Lilla Says:

My PLeasure D.

As a fellow fan, you'll understand the agony of waiting then, too ...

Thank YOU, for stopping by.

Lilla ...

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13. December 10th 2007 @ 12:20. Lara M Says:

I love wind turbines -- I'd like a few on my land (if I had the land)... <giggle>. Not only is it useful...but it reminds me of a modern version of fairy-fans...

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14. December 11th 2007 @ 00:51. Lilla Says:

Lara,

I agree. If I had my way and could incorporate my vision of the future, there'd be none of that yukky coal or oil stuff anywhere... just wind, water and sun... what more did we ever need to line the pockets of our creature comforts?

Lara, do you think these things would hum horribly, you know I have learnt that when something seems to good to be true, it usually is... could it really be ?

I think the human race has a way of learning the hard way, instead of thinking ahead.

Lilla ...

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15. December 12th 2007 @ 06:56. Lara M Says:

Hmm...I know what u mean. I once was driving cross-country and came across a field of the wind turbines. It wasn't noisy, but I was in a car... I reckon they'll innovate it to the point that it'll turn a bad hum, nice

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16. December 12th 2007 @ 08:18. Lilla Says:

Lara,

Actually, your comment made me think of a good point, and that is that being as they're suspended in air by magnestism, they may not hum at all... although the friction of the wind on the blade will always cause a purr of some kind.

You are right, it will be interesting to see how they get around it, probably something diabolically simple...

Lilla ...

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17. December 14th 2007 @ 03:38. Miswanderlust Says:

Greetings Lilla
Wind turbine generated energy is alive and well in the Texas plains. I have several friends that work for companies who promote wind power. Thanks for the well researched post (as always!). I have forwarded it to my friends!
Mis

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18. December 16th 2007 @ 22:26. Lilla Says:

Hiya MiIss,

That is really GOOD news... next time you're out there, can you get a photo for me, please?

I'd love to see it REAL as it is without the gel lenses.. and filters, and all that other professional stuff they add to pictures to make them more this 'n' that.

Do you happen to know how many megawatts they produce... there isn't too much on Google about this domestic sort of thing... as usual all the achievers are the quiet ones.

You know the old Dutch saying;

Good news travels in stockinged feet,
Bad news in cloggs.

Lotsa love,

Lilla ...

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19. December 17th 2007 @ 04:40. Miswanderlust Says:

Lilla
I will be out there over the holiday. I will snap some pics for you! Here is the link to the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center Plant Texas wind

Enjoy!
Mis

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20. December 31st 2007 @ 01:34. Lilla Says:

Hey Mis,

There is plenty of wind out there and plenty of energy to be tapped. It's just like an oil field that doesn't run out. Tom Gray, AWEA

What a great quote.

I look forward to seeing them, thank you.

Going to read more now...

Lilla ...

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21. January 1st 2008 @ 20:05. Miswanderlust Says:

Lilla
My pictures were crappy (due to a camera issue). I am so sorry.
Mis

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22. January 1st 2008 @ 21:18. Lilla Says:

Mis,

Please don't feel bad, these things happen. I hope you get it sorted soon...I can remember an entire holiday set of photo's not really taken as the film had buckled in the camera... I've got a digital camera now and never have to worry about the film again...*laughs*

I hope your trip was special anyway.

Lilla ...

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