Company’s founder Dr. Carsten Westergaard explains why this new technology is breathtaking. Contact online >>
Company’s founder Dr. Carsten Westergaard explains why this new technology is breathtaking.
Aeromine Technologies has developed a ground-breaking bladeless wind energy solution that can be linked with existing solar energy systems and building electrical systems, allowing commercial property owners to meet the growing demand for on-site renewable energy.
Aeromine stands out with its particularly considerate of the environment. It doesn’t make any sound, hurt or kill birds with its “motionless turbines.” The system captures and amplifies the wind from each building using aerodynamics akin to racing car airfoils.
We asked Dr. Carsten Westergaard, founder and the CTO of Aeromine, what we were wondering about the turbines. Here are the answers.
The following conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and flow.
Dr. Carsten Westergaard: “We invented Aeromine during his tenure as a Professor of Practice based on his lifelong work with utility-scale wind turbines. The original patent was developed at Texas Tech University. Additional, information about the inspiration can be found in the patent text.”
“A deeper understanding of Aeromine''s fundamental principles was developed in the following years in a partnership between Westergaard, Texas Tech, and Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, performing wind tunnel tests, computer models as well as field tests. Most of this work was with model generation 2, following generation number 1, which was very poorly performing. Numerous scientific publications describe this work. The present version of Aeromine is generation 7, which has been conceptually optimized for manufacturing as well as building integration.”
“Unlike any type of wind turbine, Aeromine has two separate flow streams. This is maybe the only similarity with a Dyson-style fan because the physics is very different. The external airfoils facing the wind produce a low-pressure potential. The low-pressure potential drives an internal flow stream from a separate inlet through an internal propeller that extracts energy and then ejects the residual fluid into the free stream.”
“Increasing or decreasing the internal flow rate only affects the external flow stream in a marginal way. In some Aeromine designs, the ejection of the internal flow stream can result in positive stimulation of the external flow and increase the performance. This is the opposite of an ordinary wind turbine or a diffusor argument wind turbine. The internal propeller is not really a wind turbine, it is a fan operating in reverse, or in the abstract of water flows, it is a Kaplan turbine in a hydro dam, driven by the differential pressure and the flow rate originating in the differential pressure.”
Courtesy of Aeromine.
“Aeromine harvests wind energy based on physical principles that vary from that of an ordinary-style wind turbine (vertical or horizontal). There have historically been many interesting ideas, but not based on the principles of Aeromine, which thrives because of the physics and the power of high-performance airfoils.”
“We have extensive experience in big wind and aero-acoustic noise generation. But just as with the performance, many small and larger details are completely different. The most obvious is that the propeller is inside a duct and not in the direct line of observation (hearing). These design features add up to a low-noise design concept. That said, more importantly, when you stand on the roof and lean your ear against the unit, you cannot hear anything nor feel any vibration. Both of these characteristics are extremely important to operate in the building environment.”
“Our first pilot program was deployed in partnership with BASF in Wyandotte, MI, by the Detroit River, and there are several others underway. BASF has been a tremendous partner in providing active support in installing and operating Aeromine, which is currently in negotiations with manufacturers to produce tens of thousands of units by the end of 2023.”
“Unlike ordinary wind turbines, the structure does not move and is more like a piece of the building than a wind turbine. We have used building-style design engineering in our design of the unit mixed with our team''s expansive knowledge of big wind design standards. By the end of the day, buildings stand a pretty long time, and so will Aeromine. For all practical purposes, there is no lifespan limitation. The mechanical moving parts are inside a duct protected from wind and weather, and they are loaded lightly compared to other rooftop equipment, such as ventilation fans, so they will last much longer.”
“Aeromine begins operating around 2.5 m/s (5.5 mph), which is impressive. The cut-out is 25 m/s (55 mph). The unit is designed for 53 m/s extreme wind (120 mph).”
“Aeromine can, in principle, be made in any size. In fact, we made functional prototypes as small as a few inches high. The upper limit comes down to practicalities and cost. We envision that we will tailor Aeromine to other markets using other materials, other design variants, and other operating principles.”
Vortex Bladeless, a pole-shaped bladeless wind turbine, was developed by a Spanish start-up Vortex Bladeless Ltd. The high-tech generator with a simple shape is protected by six families of registered patents.
The company is currently prototyping for commercialization in the second half of 2020 for the price of approximately 200 Euros (around 25,000 Yen). The generator is intended to be used in farmlands and residential areas.
Vortex Bladeless vibrates using the power contained in its vortices that is generated when wind bypasses the structure and transforms mechanical energy into electricity.
It starts generating power at a wind speed of 3 m/s, typical in urban areas. When the wind speed is 6 m/s, or enough to raise dust and sway small branches, it can generate enough power. As it operates on low to medium wind speeds, it is energy efficient, generating the same amount of energy at a cost 45% lower than that of a conventional 3-blade wind turbine .
The wind generator is additionally equipped with a safety device to automatically stop working when wind speed exceeds 30 to 35 m/s, the maximum speed that the generator can handle.
Vortex Bladeless is designed to solve the problems of traditional wind turbines, such as operational costs, noise, and impacts on birds. Owing to its simple shape and light weight of 15 kg, its material costs are reduced. It does not require a nacelle or blades that are the most expensive parts of a conventional wind turbine, and the manufacturing costs are estimated to be about 53% of that of a conventional wind turbine.
Since there are no blades, the turbine makes no audible noise (it is below 20 Hz), with no chance of flying objects being caught in bad weather or birds and bats being killed by the blades.
Another great feature is that the magnets placed in the cylinder repel each other and the moving parts do not touch each other. Therefore, there is almost no damage caused by wear and friction, reducing the maintenance costs. According to the company''s calculations, the operating life of the generator is between 32 and 96 years.
Vortex Bladeless is currently under development for three different models, two of those prototypes are already in operation.
The first in operation is Vortex Nano. With a height of 1 m and a power output of 3 W, this small model generates power efficiently, working with solar panels. The second is Vortex Tacoma. Standing at a height of 2.75 m with a power output of 100 W, the model is intended to be used for residential self-generation and farmlands.
Vortex Atlantis/Grand that is at the prototype stage is 9 to 13 m tall and has a power output of approximately 1 kW. The model is designed for residential/rural self-generation and installation in factories.
Vortex Bladeless Ltd. was founded in 2012 by David Yáñez and Raul Martín. A video inspired them to develop the generator.
It was a video of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in the USA that collapsed in 1940, showing how the bridge''s frequency resonated with that of the vortices caused by high-speed winds resulting in its collapse. David came up with the idea of making a device that generates energy using the power contained in the vortices.
His idea was highly appreciated and attracted public funding from the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI). The company started a collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. In June 2015, they launched a successful crowdfunding campaign to hire engineers required for taking the project ahead.
In recent years, demands for clean energy such as solar and wind are increasing as measures against global warming. To meet these demands, the company is developing devices that can be installed anywhere with low manufacturing costs and easy operations.
A whole new clean energy device, at a price affordable to individuals, generates electricity regardless of the amount of wind and sunshine hours, requires less space, and it is easy to install. A day may come when the company''s efforts would transform the wind power market.
Source:Vortex Bladeless Ltd.
About New wind turbines without blades
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in New wind turbines without blades have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient New wind turbines without blades for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various New wind turbines without blades featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
