- Number 299 |
- November 9, 2009
Turbine puts a new spin on wind energy
Researchers from the Blackhawk
Project LLC recently installed a
new type of wind energy system
at INL's Center for Advanced
Energy Studies.
An innovative wind energy system designed to produce more power and last longer than traditional windmills is being tested at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies at DOE's Idaho National Laboratory. The system's most obvious distinction is the helicopter-like airfoils that rotate parallel to the ground, unlike most commercial turbines. And its tilted rotor allows the turbine to self-start without the use of external devices. The unique design also adjusts as the wind changes directions, lowering revolutions per minute and reducing wear and tear. The system will feed power directly to CAES, and the facility's students and researchers will monitor the turbine's performance, acoustic profile, safety and durability. The prototype wind machine has a mere 10-foot diameter and produces around 1.5 kilowatts of power.
[Ryan Weeks, 208/526-5140,
ryan.weeks@inl.gov]
