Vertical axis wind turbines
SuperVawt technology enables wind turbines to generate more energy from the wind
Efficiency
The annual energy produced by a wind turbine is directly linked to how efficient it is. By using higher lift blades and new controls, SuperVawt can increase the efficiency of a vertical axis turbine. A vertical axis turbine with a coefficient of power of 39 can, with SuperVawt technology, reach a coefficient of power of 54. Modern horizontal axis turbines operate at coefficients of 47.
Cost per turbine
The materials used to make a turbine vary with scale. You could use a solid wooden blade on a small horizontal axis wind turbine but you cannot do this at MW scale. Speed of manufacture, the cost and quantity of materials used, sustainability and longevity need to be taken into consideration.
The role of SuperVawt vertical axis wind turbines
Noise
Vertical axis wind turbines operate with lower blade speeds. As noise is directly linked to the speed and wake of a wind turbine, vertical axis wind turbines are quieter.
Scale
Large scale vertical axis wind turbines do not experience significant centrifugal forces. Gravity is the greatest barrier to scaling up wind turbines. The gravitational loads on vertical axis turbines' components do not vary during a rotation. This simplifies the design of the blades and generator.
Generator
Large scale vertical axis turbines, have the generator under the turbine's rotors. This makes maintenance easier. The diameter of the generator can be larger and can accommodate cooling equipment. There are no varying gravitational loads on the generator during a rotation.
Recycling
The end of life recycling of wind turbine components can be improved by using materials which can be recycled back into their original state. This is possible with a SuperVawt vertical axis wind turbine when they are built at sufficient scale.
Wind farms
Research into the wake produced by wind turbines points to vertical axis wind turbines having better characteristics for wind farms. Faster wake recovery improves wind farm and neighbouring wind farm energy production.
Offshore
As offshore wind farm sites are built out, the remaining sites in deeper waters will need floating wind turbines. Floating vertical axis wind turbines have lower inertial loads on the generator, lower platform costs, lower installation and operating costs.