Renewable energy technology is rapidly evolving, and wind turbines sit at the forefront of this revolution in electricity generation. A competing vision has emerged from Germany’s Horst Bendix, a Leipzig innovator who will turn 93 this year. Bendix has introduced an enhanced turbine model that promises up to three times the efficiency of existing wind turbines.
Horst Bendix spent his career as head of research and development at the Leipzig-based heavy machinery manufacturer Kirow, retiring in 1995. There, he specialized in designing lignite excavators and cranes, contributing to the region’s industrial strengths.
Implementing turbines that deliver higher performance while occupying less space could address many of wind power’s current challenges. In particular, gains in efficiency can simplify site selection and integration, expanding the practical deployment of wind energy.
high altitude turbine
The Bendix design rises above the usual constraints by extending operation to heights exceeding 200 meters. The key benefit is stronger, more consistent wind at higher altitudes, which can significantly boost energy capture and overall performance.
The new prototype of the so‑called high-altitude wind turbine diverges from conventional layouts. Instead of the classic single-tower frame, Bendix proposes a tripod-like foundation with a vertical column and two supporting columns. At the top of the engine compartment, several generators sit below the turbine rather than a single generator housed in the gondola.
As summarized by the Ecoinventos portal, this system reverses the traditional turbine structure: a tower supports a rotating engine section with a rotor hub and blades, the generator placed in the gondola, and the whole assembly anchored to a sturdy foundation. Yet this classic setup contends with serious bending forces from wind acting on the rotor, causing tower tilt and demanding substantial ground resistance.
Wind exerts immense force on the rotor, and as the tower height increases, bending forces rise. That elevates risks of instability and material stress.
overcome bending forces
To address this, Bendix replaces the single tower with a tripod structure: one upright column supported by two additional columns. An additional innovation places the generators below, at the system’s base, while wind energy is guided down to them via a belt mechanism.
The tripod design directly tackles bending forces, eliminating the need for a heavy tower head. This configuration allows access to higher wind zones, where energy is more abundant, translating to higher performance. The entire tower also rotates automatically to align with wind direction, optimizing energy capture.
You can triple the resulting energy.
Industry experts see real potential for the Bendix concept. Wind energy specialist Frank Zeulner, who has planned and installed wind farms globally, notes that a large high-height system could harvest roughly 20 to 30 gigawatt hours per year. In contrast, a conventional turbine might produce around 10 gigawatt hours, suggesting a possible doubling to tripling of output under ideal conditions.
Eliminating a heavy generator and reducing the load on the tower head also enhance stability by removing the main source of bending stress found in traditional designs. This makes it feasible to reach higher wind regions, where energy is plentiful, and performance improves accordingly, Zeulner adds.
The high-altitude wind turbine by Bendix has already received a patent. However, a working prototype has not yet been realized, though discussions with several companies about building a test turbine are underway.
Summary notes and insights from MDR and industry observers indicate a strong interest in validating this approach with real-world testing. The new configuration aims to unlock superior energy capture by moving generators below deck and leveraging high-altitude winds.
Additional context and analysis from industry sources suggest promising avenues for future development and deployment strategies.
More system information is provided by industry platforms and research portals that discuss high-altitude wind energy concepts and their potential impacts on efficiency and grid integration.
Inquiries related to this technology are typically directed toward environmental and energy research bodies that assess its feasibility, safety, and environmental implications in various settings.
This summary reflects ongoing conversations in the wind energy sector regarding next‑generation turbine architectures and their role in advancing sustainable power production.