Mar 07 2008
Maglev - Gigantic Wind Turbine
There are many kinds of renewable energy and not all suitable enough to generate electricity. Some kind of renewable energy that nowday has big atenttion is wind power. To generate electricity from wind we need wind turbine and there are two kinds of wind turbine, which are HAWT (Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine) and VAWT (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine). HAWT has enter marketplace and many country on sub-tropical area has install this technology to produce electricity with clean and environment-safe method. That because HAWT promise the high efficiency and have big installing capacity (~ Megawatt electric).
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But, nowday VAWT also could contribute to electricity generation with high efficiency and big installing capacity. That because, Guangzhou Energy Research Institute under China’s Academy of Sciences has develop the magnetic levitation principle into wind turbine and they call it by Maglev Wind Turbine. This new technology was firstly unveiled at the Wind Power Asia Exhibition 2006 in Beijing.
One maglev wind turbine could generate 1 GW electricity with clean and environment-safe methods and its enough to supply energy for about 750,000 homes and just requires less than 100 acres of building instalation/power house.
According to the chief scientist of Guangzhou Energy Research Institute, maglev could drive cost of wind power to bellow 5 cents (U.S.) per kilowatt hour and could cut-off the operational cost of wind farms by up to 50%. Maglev also able to utilize wind speeds as low as 1.5 m/s and cut-in speeds of 3 m/s (Zhongke Energy) and could increase wind energy generating capacity by as much as 20 % over traditional wind turbines (TreeHugger.com).
On maglev wind turbine, vertically blade are suspended on a cushion air, above the base of the machine and this construction replace the mainly of ball bearing that used on wind turbine axis. The mechanical energy from vertical blade axis rotation is directed to linear generator with minimum friction losses. We can say that maglev system development has purpose to reduce stress from the mechanical load on the wind turbine.
Maglev also uses the permanent magnets - not electromagnetic, so it does not need electricity to run. And halbach arrays could used to control the magnetic field of permanent magnet on maglev wind turbine. The permanent magnet build up by neodymium (”rare earth”) magnets and its has problem on sustainability when mined on large amounts. On China case, the need of neodymium is okay because this country has rich in this element and also control 90% of world market for rare earth elements (TreeHugger.com).
The mainly advantages uses maglev wind turbine are:
- Less energy lost through friction.
- Reduce the maintenance costs.
- Increases the lifespan of the generator.
There are two company that invest to develop and produce maglev wind turbine, which are:
- Arizona MagLev Wind Turbine Technologies invest for about $US 53 million to construct the colossal structure building. They claim that could deliver green-power for less than 1 cent (U.S.) per kilowatt hour.
- Zhongke Hengyuan Energy Technology invest for about 400 million Yuan into building facility that set to produce maglev wind turbines with capacities ranging from 400 to 5,000 Watts. And the construction began on November 2007.
Maglev technology is expected could create new opportunities in low-wind-speed areas worldwide such as on mountain regions, islands, observatories, and television transfer stations.
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Not bad at all, but this topic is rather little of interest. Please do not disappoint your readership.
I just thing how can people work in such a huge magnetic field and are they using the flux induced by the movement of the wings????????????
Energy conservation - The transition
For the past several years, all the debates and analyses related to the use of primary energies are influenced by a set of incontrovertible facts. They all lead to the same conclusion: “it is essential to rationalize the use of energy on a world-wide scale, in order to ensure the sustainable future of the species that inhabit the planet and of the corresponding biodiversity that supports them”.
A transition to a sustainable energy system is necessary, also from “the economic point of view”, that guarantees the maintenance of our generation’s and future generations’ welfare, from a perspective of respecting the environment.
This transition requires significant effort in research, development and technological innovation, as well as greater social awareness of the energy problem. In the short and medium term, the objectives for implementing a sustainable energy system would include the application of measures such as:
• Encouraging energy saving and efficiency.
• Promoting renewable energy sources.
• The development of the necessary energy infrastructures to face the increase in consumption during this period of transition (gas-based infrastructures).
Renewable Energy Manufactures/suppliers should use their own product to manufacture.
The manufacturers’ of Solar Panels and other forms of renewable energy with related support products manufactures/suppliers - should have at least the decency to practice what they preach what they market to the public.
That would be the best marketing approach I can think off.
If they believe in the product they manufacture/sell, they should utilize it to its fullest potential.
It will give the manufacturer the actual experience of utilizing the product on a daily basis, view and experience any shortcoming or improvements that are needed, implement the improvements and capitalize on that revision to improve the product and its performance.
This will instill confidence in the public to purchase the product.
Jay Draiman, Energy Analyst
PS
As with any new technology, PV will become more efficient, cheaper and cleaner to produce. In order for this to happen we (Governments / NGOs / Individuals) need to invest more time and money into making PV viable, e.g. through increased incentives, regulations, technical standards, R&D, manufacturing processes and generating consumer demand.
Just like the automobile industry, the manufacture used its own product.
Over the years the automobile industry and technology has evolved from the early 1900 to what it is today the year 2008.
I predict that in 10 years the automobile we know today will change drastically for the better, with new fuel technology and other modification that will improve its scales of economy and features.
A more efficient and cost effective renewable energy system is needed. R2
A more efficient and cost effective renewable energy system is needed.
To accelerate the implementation of renewable electric generation with added incentives and a FASTER PAYBACK - ROI. (A method of storing energy, would accelerate the use of renewable energy) A greater tax credit, accelerated depreciation, funding scientific research and pay as you save utility billing. (Reduce and or eliminates the tax on implementing energy efficiency, eliminate increase in Real estate Taxes for energy efficiency improvement). Tax incentive and rebates have to be tripled.
In California, you also have the impediment, that when there are an interruption of power supply by the Utility you the consumer cannot use your renewable energy system to provide power.
In today’s technology there is automatic switching equipment that would disconnect the consumer from the grid, which would permit renewable generation for the consumer even during power interruption. Energy storage technology must advance substantially. “Energy conservation through energy storage”.
New competition for the world’s limited oil and natural gas supplies is increasing global demand like never before. Reserves are dwindling. These and other factors are forcing energy prices to skyrocket here at home. It’s affecting not just the fuel for our cars and homes, it is affecting food prices and it’s driving up electricity costs, too. A new world is emerging. The energy decisions our nation makes today will have huge implications into the next century. We must expedite the implementation of renewable energy.
A synchronous system with batteries allows the blending of a PV with grid power, but also offers the advantage of “islanding” in case of a power failure. A synchronous system automatically disconnects the utility power from the house and operates like an off-grid home during power failures. This system, however, is more costly and loses some of the efficiency advantages of a battery-less system.
We’re surrounded by energy — sun, wind, water. The problem is harnessing it in an economical way.
Jay Draiman, Northridge, CA
June 26, 2008
Jay Draiman Energy Development Specialist provides expertise in all sectors of the energy and utility industry.
Over 20 years experience. Specializing in: Energy Audit, Telecom audit, Utility bills audit and review for refunds or better rates, Demand Management, Energy Efficiency review and implementation, Renewable Energy, Lighting Retrofit, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Fuel-Cell, Thermal imaging, Rainwater harvesting, Energy conservation, Ice Storage, Water conservation methods, Energy and telecom audit and procurement
Much is at stake when policy makers, regulators, and corporate executives face the challenges of evolving energy markets and efficiency.
http://www.energysavers2.com
Can you please provide me contact details of Maglev wind turbine?