Choosing Between The Many Different Wind Power Designs
There are several different types of wind power designs currently available, and new ones are being developed all the time. These devices are designed in order to make use of the energy which can be produced when the wind blows. However, harnessing this power is not as easy as it sounds. A typical set up will include at least one turbine and several sub-systems to perform the necessary tasks of catching the energy produced by the wind, pointing the turbine in the right direction, converting the mechanical rotation into electrical power, as well as to start, stop, and control the turbine.
The first of the many wind power designs which we will discuss in this article are the traditional horizontal axis models because they are the most commonly used. These can have 1, 2, or 3 blades and are typically the classical modern style. There is however, a pumping wind turbine that has roughly 20 blades and is commonly found on farms. When it comes to aerodynamics, these machines are not very straightforward. The air flow at the blades is not identical to the air flow far away from the device, and the nature in which energy is collected can also cause wind to be deflected from the blades.
Next, we will go over the vertical axis wind power designs which are available in a wide variety of shapes. These typically will have 2 to 3 blades, but there are models that have 6 and up to 10. A few different examples of this design include: aerofoil, Horizontal Darrieus, windside, vertical rotor, helical, Darrieus, and the Savonius. What makes these different from the horizontal axis variety is that their main rotor shaft runs traverse to the flow streamlines. Often abbreviated as VAWT, these turbines offer many benefits. For one thing, the generators and gearboxes can be installed close to the ground. In addition, it is not necessary for them to be facing the wind.
One of the newest and most innovative types of wind power designs is the Magenn Power Air Rotor System. Often referred to simply as MARS, this device is changing the way that wind power is being harvested. They feature a turbine that is lighter than air which is kept at an altitude of 1,000 feet using a tether. The energy collected travels down this tether where it can either be used immediately or stored in batteries for later use. Because it collects wind at nocturnal jet streams which exist almost everywhere, they can be used in most locations.
The Magenn Power Air Rotor System is an example of an airborne wind design which does not require a tower to be mounted to. These devices can be used at most elevations, both high and low. They have the advantage of tapping into a constant wind source and are less expensive than tower mounted models.
