The WindWing improves on the wind turbine by using airplane technology and running more efficiently, cheaply and quietly than traditional turbines. A large parallelogram that resembles a set of oversized venetian blinds on a metal rod, WindWing has six wing panels that can tilt up and down in order to create energy. Sensors located behind the panels are able to detect wind direction and strength and adjust the panels accordingly. Gene Kelley, founder and CEO of Santa Barbara, Cailf.-based W2 Energy Development Corp explained.
The energy is pulled into the stem on the machine and pulled into a box at its base, where it can be converted by an electrical pump into electricity, compressed air or put through a water pump. While traditional turbines rely on spinning propellers, Kelley says they are inefficient, capturing only a fraction of the energy from the already minimal amount of wind they touch. “The more area the turbine touches, the more energy it collects,” Kelley explained.
Because of WindWing’s ability to run efficiently in the lightest and harshest of winds, it costs only a tenth of the cost of a traditional wind turbine. Up to 12 panels can be stacked on the WindWing. Based on the needs and surface area of each site, WindWing can replace 12 propeller turbines. “The propellers break and wear out. People complain of the grinding of the gears,” Kelley said. “WindWing is nearly silent and adjusts based on conditions.”
There is an established maximum efficiency for windmills of 59%. That means the maximum amount of energy you can get out of air moving past a body is less than 100%. This makes sense because if a windmill were capable of pulling 100% of the energy out of the air then all the air behind a windmill would be absolutely still. The maximum efficiency of a windmill was calculated by Albert Betz in 1926 and no one has disproved it. Modern windmills reach a maximum efficiency of 35 – 39%
35% efficiency is pretty good when you consider the maximum being 59%. Another way of looking at this is to say current designs are 60% of the way to the maximum possible efficiency, which is pretty darn good, remember really good solar cells are 25% efficient, with some 30% efficient cells just starting to get to market.
– from www.newburyportnews.com sustainabledesignupdate.com