Aerogenerator X 10-MW VAWT Upgrade in the Works

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Wind Power Limited has released its plans for a new and improved Aerogenerator vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). The company is saying that the new prototype can generate two times more power than the original, while only weighing half as much.

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According to the company, “the Aerogenerator X is the result of of an 18‐month feasibility study (called the NOVA project), and is a viable and cost-effective solution for offshore wind power in the UK. The newest version is anticipated to generate twice as much power as their initial design, and because the sails (blades) are made from carbon fiber, to only weigh half as much.”

The researchers are currently working to complete a fully operational 50-kW prototype demonstrator. They will use it to gain a better understanding of the engineering performance and aerodynamic behavior of the design when it’s in use.

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Wind Power Limited is planning to complete full tests of the unit in an offshore environment before it begins work on a planned 10-MW version. And it is expecting the demonstrator should be operational by October 2012.

“Wind Power Limited also announced that it is in the process of entering a Memorandum of Understanding with Arup to help continue with the development of the project.”
 


 
The 18‐month NOVA project feasibility study was a collaboration by Cranfield University, QinetiQ, Strathclyde University, Sheffield University, and Wind Power Limited. It was funded by the Energy Technologies Institute (a public private partnership comprising BP, Caterpillar, EDF, E.ON, Rolls‐Royce, Shell, BP, EDF, EON, Caterpillar, the UK Government, and Wind Power Limited).

Source: TreeHugger
Image Credits: Wind Power Lmtd. & Grimshaw

Nathan (356 Posts)

For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts; for all is vanity. - Ecclesiastes 3:19


  • Hans

    Finally, an alternative wind turbine type that is actually being build, instead of just being vapourware.

  • http://www.facebook.com/bobsomm Robert H Sommer

    Why only 2 wind sails? Why not 8? What about when the wind is still? What about violent seas wrecking the whole thing?
    50KW to 10 MW… Right. Good luck folks. When you are through with this endeavor, I have a bridge you may be interested in.
    Peace, bob

    • Ronald Brak

      1) It only needs 2 sails and 2 is cheaper than 8. 2) Currently no one has worked out a reliable way to make the wind blow when the wind’s not blowing. 3) Violent seas wreck some things, but not all things. (See continued existence of British Isles for case in point.) 4) I wish them good luck too. I have not idea if it will pan out, but if it does, it could be a cheaper way to build floating turbines.

  • Anne

    Up ’till now, the VAWT has never superseded the ‘promise of the future’ stage. Too many attempts yielded expensive turbines with disappointing yields. Will it succeed this time?

    This prototype is a respectable 50 kW, but right after that they want to jump in with a full scale 10 MW version. Quite a leap. They obviously have faith in their product.