Darrieus rotors are a bit less efficient than “windmill” style turbines, but some advantages can make up for that less efficiency. One big issue is that wind from any direction applies energy to the vertical turbine – even if the wind is changing direction rapidly. A horizontal axis “windmill” style needs to be mechanically re-aligned with the wind direction to efficiently capture and process that wind energy – so it is less efficient in catching wind rapidly changing in direction.

Another advantage is that the rotor can be lighter in weight, allowing it to speed up quickly to convert the energy from a strong wind gust. Horizontal axis “windmill” rotors need to be structurally stronger and heavier with less ability to accelerate in RPM to catch the “gust energy”. “Gust energy” is valuable because the energy in the wind is proportional to the cube of the wind speed. So, in an average wind of 12 mph, if the wind gusts to 20 mph for 10 seconds, that’s 4.5 times the energy for that 10 seconds.

Darrieus rotors do not need to have the mechanical complexity of variable blade pitch angle. To capture the wind efficiently, and to self-start, “windmill” style rotors must mechanically pitch the blades to the angle of optimum attack for that windspeed. Darrieus rotor blades do not require that mechanical complexity.

But, Darrieus rotors do normally need to be started spinning to start capturing wind energy with it’s “autorotation”. One way to do this is to run the generator as a motor initially when the wind gets to a speed that can provide enough energy to keep it spinning. At that point, the motor becomes a generator and starts feeding energy back into the grid.

Another big advantage of vertical turbines is that the rotor and generator does not need to pivot to face into the wind. On horizontal axis turbines, the head and rotor need to be able to pivot – requiring mechanical complexity and at least flexible electrical conductors to connect from the generator to the ground grid.

There are numbers of other advantages to a Darrieus vertical rotor – including simplicity, centrifugal strength, and generator mounting solidly at the base.

My point – don’t dismiss the value of Darrieus rotors. They work and probably have a good niche for small, residential style applications. Modern inverter electronics can now make them essentialy plug & play into your house power.

- gyrogreg

Darrieus rotors are a bit less efficient than “windmill” style turbines, but some advantages can make up for that less efficiency. One big issue is that wind from any direction applies energy to the vertical turbine – even if the wind is changing direction rapidly. A horizontal axis “windmill” style needs to be mechanically re-aligned with the wind direction to efficiently capture and process that wind energy – so it is less efficient in catching wind rapidly changing in direction.

Another advantage is that the rotor can be lighter in weight, allowing it to speed up quickly to convert the energy from a strong wind gust. Horizontal axis “windmill” rotors need to be structurally stronger and heavier with less ability to accelerate in RPM to catch the “gust energy”. “Gust energy” is valuable because the energy in the wind is proportional to the cube of the wind speed. So, in an average wind of 12 mph, if the wind gusts to 20 mph for 10 seconds, that’s 4.5 times the energy for that 10 seconds.

Darrieus rotors do not need to have the mechanical complexity of variable blade pitch angle. To capture the wind efficiently, and to self-start, “windmill” style rotors must mechanically pitch the blades to the angle of optimum attack for that windspeed. Darrieus rotor blades do not require that mechanical complexity.

But, Darrieus rotors do normally need to be started spinning to start capturing wind energy with it’s “autorotation”. One way to do this is to run the generator as a motor initially when the wind gets to a speed that can provide enough energy to keep it spinning. At that point, the motor becomes a generator and starts feeding energy back into the grid.

Another big advantage of vertical turbines is that the rotor and generator does not need to pivot to face into the wind. On horizontal axis turbines, the head and rotor need to be able to pivot – requiring mechanical complexity and at least flexible electrical conductors to connect from the generator to the ground grid.

There are numbers of other advantages to a Darrieus vertical rotor – including simplicity, centrifugal strength, and generator mounting solidly at the base.

My point – don’t dismiss the value of Darrieus rotors. They work and probably have a good niche for small, residential style applications. Modern inverter electronics can now make them essentialy plug & play into your house power.

- gyrogreg

This does and will work.

Great idea. Start manufacturing and you have a big winner

This does and will work.

Great idea. Start manufacturing and you have a big winner

Like chrisp said above, right on buddy. With a small turbine and solar panel, put in an efficient LED light source, and you have a winner. But again, the most efficient models of this have a normal three bladed turbine, not an inefficient vertical drag turbine.

Like chrisp said above, right on buddy. With a small turbine and solar panel, put in an efficient LED light source, and you have a winner. But again, the most efficient models of this have a normal three bladed turbine, not an inefficient vertical drag turbine.

Instead hang them on a street lamp to power the light, like the new ones discussed in this article:

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/12/29/new-york-city-to-install-led-streetlamps/

The lamp can be powered by solar and wind…

Also you could hang them on telephone poles all across the country. Half of the infrusturcture is already in place. Just add the turbine and inverter.

Instead hang them on a street lamp to power the light, like the new ones discussed in this article:

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/12/29/new-york-city-to-install-led-streetlamps/

The lamp can be powered by solar and wind…

Also you could hang them on telephone poles all across the country. Half of the infrusturcture is already in place. Just add the turbine and inverter.