this wind power It is one of the most powerful alternatives for the decarbonization of energy. However, it also poses problems, especially due to the bulky generators and wings that kill thousands of protected birds each year. However, all that could change thanks to a Spanish invention.. This is a windmill without blades.
According to Jorge Piñero of Vortex marketing department, the brand that signed the new device, wind turbines that do not have the characteristic blades they produce, an option that attracts companies (public and private) as well as research centers, as it may be an option for micro energy generation and It complements the installation of solar panels in all types of buildings. for self consumption.
In fact, some buildings and headquarters are already being installed and showing their potential, such as the SEO/BirdLife headquarters in Madrid and other properties in Ávila.
Vortex wind turbines take advantage of wind energy, but with a completely different approach to windmills. Instead of blades, what is moved by the wind is its mast, which oscillates slightly to generate energy.
As Piñero explains, wind often creates waves in the air (which is why we see flags waving and “drawing” shapes in the air). «When air or water passes through a circular structure (as in Vortex ‘poles’), eddies form along the way. When the frequency of their occurrence coincides with the resonant frequency of the structure, it begins to absorb energy,” he elaborates.
Through a series of more complex physical processes, Vortex achieved very high air kinetic energy conversion efficiency. At this point, it should be noted that the vortex limit is 40%. From that moment on, the wind turbines stop.
By comparison, conventional mills achieve a rate of 49%. “We are still a long way from achieving such excellent efficiencies, and as a result, we have 10 years while conventional wind power takes 60-80 years to recover,” they explain from the company.
With the application of these technologies and other physical principles of fluid dynamics that are already mature in the market, the geometry of the mast and the materials from which it is made are maximized so that the wind can pass through and create these eddies. “The structure begins to absorb energy by elastic resonance. It starts to oscillate perpendicular to the direction of the wind and can be converted into electrical energy as it moves,” adds Piñero.
For small installations
These wind turbines are much smaller than conventional mills. This allows them to be installed in smaller spaces with no wings.
According to the company, the motion these wind turbines produce is harmless (the larger the device, the slower it will oscillate). Additionally, they detail that they are hollow and the noise they produce is practically the same as the threshold of the wind.
These features allow them to be placed in urban and even protected areas. They also interfere with radio signals less than other renewable energy alternatives, so they can be deployed at airports or military sites, according to the company.
Another of its strengths is they do not need gears to operate and are not subject to the wear and tear of conventional mills.. “They have a carbon fiber rod that can swing without replacement for several years. And because there are no moving parts, it doesn’t need oil or changing gears or transmissions,” Piñero details.
100 watt smallest models
Regarding the production capacity of these devices, Vortex facilitates: the smallest, about 3 meters high, can provide up to 100 watts of powerthe second depends on the current weather conditions, the environment etc. may vary depending on
First of all, the company is working on the development of other options that consume a lot of energy, but have even smaller dimensions (about 60 centimeters), which are designed to be placed very precisely or, on the contrary, for road markings or systems. They consume very little, but a lot.
Medium-sized ones are designed for the roofs of houses and buildings. According to the statements made, these wind turbines can keep less distance than the distance that windmills should keep so that the operation of the blades does not affect other mills.
Larger models will be more designed for rural or industrial environments.
Jorge Piñero also explains itThis option is still a few years away before it becomes commercially viable.. “We’ve been here for over nine years, but it usually takes about 15 or 20 years until these projects reach commercial viability,” he details.
“We are evaluating the possibility of launching a campaign. beta testing for feedback on different environments and conditions. “Participants will not be a commercial product, but will be able to purchase a small functional technological demonstrator Vortex Nano, which is ideal for performing these tests.”
Vortex website: https://vortexbladeless.com/es/
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Contact address of the environment department: [email protected]