We all know what is the first image that our brain associates with the word "wind". But not everyone knows that that gigantic propeller placed on top of a gigantic pole, in addition to producing excellent renewable energy, also produces unpleasant side effects. Here are five projects that seek, in one way or another, to change the status quo of things.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
We all know what is the first image that our brain associates with the word "Aeolian". But not everyone knows that that gigantic propeller placed on top of a gigantic pole, in addition to producing excellent renewable energy, it also produces unpleasant side effects.
While crossing the so-called wind-farm, for example, the flocks of birds risk big. And the poor peasants who are forced to live with the people are not faring much better 50-60 decibel of one or more rotors a few hundred meters from home. And if one of those summer thunderstorms happens when lightning takes over, the wind turbines they often come out damaged. Not to mention thevisual impact, a problem that local administrators face head on.
On the other hand, the question of wind power it is constantly increasing, so much so that in the United States - in first place in the ranking of producers of this type of energy - from 2000 to today the production has increased by 13 times higher, and it is calculated that globally the 2% di electric energy is provided by wind. What to do then?
Here is the following five projects who seek, in one way or another, to change the status quo of things.
1) Flying electric generators
Developed by the American company Sky WindPower, based on San Diego, these structures a form of the H of the weight of 1100 pounds hover in the air at a height of 30.000 feet. The four propellers placed at the ends produce the electrical energy transmitted to the ground by an anchor cable and, at the same time, keep the system suspended.
- Pro: the high height eliminates the problem of impacts with birds and that of noise for those who live nearby.
- Against: high costs; stability risk due to weight.
2) Magenn Air Rotor System – M.A.R.S.
developed by the company Magenn Power, These ones mini-airships rotate on their horizontal axis, producing electrical energy which, as above, is transmitted to the ground by an anchor cable, and then stored in battery or put into circulation in the National Network. The MARS, inflated with thehelium, operate at a height of approx 1.000 feet, but they can rise to higher altitudes.
- Pro: easy to carry and cheap.
- Against: incompatible with general aviation and ultralight air traffic.
3) Wind lenses:
designed by the professor Yuji Ohya dell 'Kyushu University (Japan), these offshore turbines are reminiscent of beehive hexagons. The name underlines their ability to multiply the power of the wind, like a lens. They were presented for the first time this year at Yokohama Renewable Energy International Exhibition 2010.
- Pro: excellent design, low cost, high electricity production.
- Against: the intensity and direction of the wind must be almost constant.
4) Aerogenerators:
developed by a Scottish company named WindPower, resemble gigantic V-shaped rotors. The structure, high 144 meters, should be mounted offshore, generating more than 9 MW of electricity thanks to the movement around the vertical axis of the two "arms".
- Pro: ability to take advantage of the wind from any direction, excellent design.
- Against: the weight of the structure combined with the centrifugal force of the movement could create serious problems for the stability of the wind turbines.
5) Vibro-Wind Setup:
researchers from the Vibro-Wind Research Group have developed an innovative method for the production of wind power low price. In practice, these are "wind panels", similar in appearance to the most common solar panels, which are able to convert even the slightest breath of wind into electricity, thanks to sensors which, as the name suggests, are activated by vibrating.
- BESS: reduced installation space, very low costs.
- Cons: still under development.
In short: you are spoiled for choice!
Roberto Zambon
