Comments on: Vertical-Axis Windspire Turbine Ready For Market In Early Spring http://ecotality.com/life/2008/02/08/vertical-axis-windspire-turbine-ready-for-market-in-early-spring/ EcoDevelopments you can use and invest in. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:16:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Thylacine http://ecotality.com/life/2008/02/08/vertical-axis-windspire-turbine-ready-for-market-in-early-spring/comment-page-1/#comment-2417 Thylacine Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:56:40 +0000 http://ecotality.com/life/2008/02/08/vertical-axis-windspire-turbine-ready-for-market-in-early-spring/#comment-2417 When it comes to windpower you can forget the so called micro systems. Wind is one energy source where size really does count. Power is proportional to the square of turbine diameter and the cube of windspeed. Since windspeed increases rapidly with height the rough rule of thumb becomes the largest diameter turbine you can build on the tallest tower you can put up and you will have the most efficient system. Wind also performs much better in smooth flow conditions, something not generally found in urban environments. Vertical axis wind turbines are far less efficient than their horizontal counterparts and have significant difficulties with dynamic balance and turbulent flow. Compare the swept area of a 10 metre tall three vane 2 metre diameter VAWT (20 M2) with its horizontal counterpart's 3 x 10m dia over 300 square metres. Although the horizontal turbine occupies (and extracts energy from) a lot more sky they both have a similir ground footprint Both have similiar construction costs. Both are unsuitable for urban installation. ( Of course the real solution might be for the human race to realise that it is cities themselves which are unsustainable...at least on the present scale, and develop an existence which is not predicated on cramming as many inhabitants into the smallest possible area and holding them to economic ransom for all commodities and services...not likely but like those who think that a large noisey twirly gig in their back yard will solve their energy needs, one can at least drem) The Thylacine When it comes to windpower you can forget the so called micro systems. Wind is one energy source where size really does count. Power is proportional to the square of turbine diameter and the cube of windspeed. Since windspeed increases rapidly with height the rough rule of thumb becomes the largest diameter turbine you can build on the tallest tower you can put up and you will have the most efficient system. Wind also performs much better in smooth flow conditions, something not generally found in urban environments. Vertical axis wind turbines are far less efficient than their horizontal counterparts and have significant difficulties with dynamic balance and turbulent flow. Compare the swept area of a 10 metre tall three vane 2 metre diameter VAWT (20 M2) with its horizontal counterpart’s 3 x 10m dia over 300 square metres. Although the horizontal turbine occupies (and extracts energy from) a lot more sky they both have a similir ground footprint Both have similiar construction costs. Both are unsuitable for urban installation. ( Of course the real solution might be for the human race to realise that it is cities themselves which are unsustainable…at least on the present scale, and develop an existence which is not predicated on cramming as many inhabitants into the smallest possible area and holding them to economic ransom for all commodities and services…not likely but like those who think that a large noisey twirly gig in their back yard will solve their energy needs, one can at least drem)

The Thylacine

]]> By: Sarah http://ecotality.com/life/2008/02/08/vertical-axis-windspire-turbine-ready-for-market-in-early-spring/comment-page-1/#comment-2407 Sarah Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:31:06 +0000 http://ecotality.com/life/2008/02/08/vertical-axis-windspire-turbine-ready-for-market-in-early-spring/#comment-2407 In response to Crilism's comment, I think there must be multiple solutions on both ends of the spectrum. There's so much work to be done that macro- and micro-solutions are needed. Next, these windmills are very exciting. I heard a lot about windmill energy when I was at the Art Center Sustainability Summit(http://www.artcenter.edu/summit/) last week. I think that we need to introduce this type of energy to Europe and Asia and all over the world. Hopefully large companies will invest enough money to make them viable in places where other sources of power are harder to come by. I will not be able to attend it, but I'm very interested to see what kind of solutions to climate issues are proposed at the Art Center Global Dialogues(http://blog.globaldialogues.eu/), which is an even more ambitious event than the Summit. It takes place in Barcelona and leaders in many different industry will be brainstorming about ways to address climate change, green designs, architecture, and geopolitics. It's amazing that windmills are part of all those different issues now. In response to Crilism’s comment, I think there must be multiple solutions on both ends of the spectrum. There’s so much work to be done that macro- and micro-solutions are needed.

Next, these windmills are very exciting. I heard a lot about windmill energy when I was at the Art Center Sustainability Summit(http://www.artcenter.edu/summit/) last week. I think that we need to introduce this type of energy to Europe and Asia and all over the world. Hopefully large companies will invest enough money to make them viable in places where other sources of power are harder to come by. I will not be able to attend it, but I’m very interested to see what kind of solutions to climate issues are proposed at the Art Center Global Dialogues(http://blog.globaldialogues.eu/), which is an even more ambitious event than the Summit. It takes place in Barcelona and leaders in many different industry will be brainstorming about ways to address climate change, green designs, architecture, and geopolitics. It’s amazing that windmills are part of all those different issues now.

]]> By: Crilism » Blog Archive » Do we need mega, or mini energy solutions? http://ecotality.com/life/2008/02/08/vertical-axis-windspire-turbine-ready-for-market-in-early-spring/comment-page-1/#comment-2404 Crilism » Blog Archive » Do we need mega, or mini energy solutions? Sun, 10 Feb 2008 03:33:51 +0000 http://ecotality.com/life/2008/02/08/vertical-axis-windspire-turbine-ready-for-market-in-early-spring/#comment-2404 [...] largest windmill turbine, and on the other we’re readying micro-solutions like the ‘personal windmill’. At what end of the spectrum does a true solution [...] [...] largest windmill turbine, and on the other we’re readying micro-solutions like the ‘personal windmill’. At what end of the spectrum does a true solution [...]

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