Jet Engine Wind Turbine 4x more efficient.

[CowboyWay]

Technology in the "green" sector is growing by leaps and bounds, and not surprisingly there are big advancements being made. This is pretty cool.


http://www.treehugger.com/files/201...-4-times-efficient-market.php?campaign=th_rss

Jet Engine Wind Turbine is 4X More Efficient, Will Hit Market Soon (Video)
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 01.26.10
BUSINESS & POLITICS

BUZZ UP!



A traditional wind turbine extracts only 50% of the available wind energy in the given area it occupies. So perhaps it's time to up the ante, and move past the towering turbines, as iconic as they may be for the clean energy revolution. This is the thinking behind FloDesign's idea--they've created a wind turbine based on the design of jet engine--and they say it's 3-4 times more efficient that the current standard. And thanks to $42 million in recently received funding, this jet engine wind turbine is about to hit the market. Video of the turbine in action after the jump.

Flodesign just received $34.5 million in venture capital, along with $8 million in grants from the DOE, allowing it to begin commercial production on its tested turbine.

Here's how the innovative design looks in action:

[youtube]RagPPrHUMTY[/youtube]

As explained in the video, the vast efficiency comes from the technology which "forces air through a small hole to create a pressure differential."

TreeHugger first reported on FloDesign's jet engine wind turbine a little over a year ago, before it had secured funding for large scale deployment. Back then, Matt was intrigued that the proposed unit would reduce the cost of generating electricity by wind power by half by effectively doubling the output from a single turbine.



And it's good to see an idea take off--even exceeding initial expectations in terms of efficiency. FloDesign has evidently garnered so much interest in their technology that it's ""aiming to transform itself from a research and development organisation into a mainstream renewables firm," according to Cleantechnica. Interest has been piqued, and venture capital firms have taken notice--FloDesign may be a major player in the clean energy sector in year to come. And who knows? Its jet engine wind turbine design may be the next pervasive icon of the wind power industry.

 

[SaltwaterServr]

Kind of an idea, come full circle. The original jet turbine designs were influence by observations of Dutch windmill designs.

They need to have these bad boys on every roof top in Corpus Christi, at least until the piezo acoustic method that was pioneered early in 2009 makes it's way into commercial production. Every roof top in the world would then be generating electricity for the building below. I could see a day when all parking lots were covered so that our hybrids could recharge while we were at work, free of charge thanks to piezo acoustics. Unfortunately, it's about where solar panels were in 1960.

 

[YosemiteSam]

It's nice and all, but if you think people ***** about having a satellite dish on your house, they are really gonna ***** about one of those! :laugh2:


Good stuff.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

It's nice and all, but if you think people ***** about having a satellite dish on your house, they are really gonna ***** about one of those! :laugh2:


Good stuff.

Man, that's what I was thinking. I'm all for alternative energy sources. The problem that I see is that you are depending on nature to provide a strong enough wind current to operate this. That is not always going to be available. What we need to do is find something that is readily available on an ongoing basis that be trusted over the long term.

I don't see people putting one of these on their house. And they didn't mention the cost. What do they project the cost per unit to be when it is fully implemented? How long before the consumer would recoup that cost in energy savings?

 

[YosemiteSam]

Man, that's what I was thinking. I'm all for alternative energy sources. The problem that I see is that you are depending on nature to provide a strong enough wind current to operate this. That is not always going to be available. What we need to do is find something that is readily available on an ongoing basis that be trusted over the long term.

I don't see people putting one of these on their house. And they didn't mention the cost. What do they project the cost per unit to be when it is fully implemented? How long before the consumer would recoup that cost in energy savings?

Hey, look at the Jet engine on my roof! :laugh2:

I'm pretty sure at this point it isn't something feasible for home use. I'm betting like the giant wind turbines, this too is for commercial use in some large field. For one, open fields do not suffer from wind distortion you would get in a residential area that cause loss of a portion of the winds kinetic energy.

 

[MapleLeaf]

Man, that's what I was thinking. I'm all for alternative energy sources. The problem that I see is that you are depending on nature to provide a strong enough wind current to operate this. That is not always going to be available. What we need to do is find something that is readily available on an ongoing basis that be trusted over the long term.

I don't see people putting one of these on their house. And they didn't mention the cost. What do they project the cost per unit to be when it is fully implemented? How long before the consumer would recoup that cost in energy savings?

...alternative energy sources are a real complex issue. The best answer is when someone invents a solution where benefit meets cost meets performance meets reliability meets viability meets general consumer friendliness.

We haven't necessarily seen that yet, but its good to know that people are pursuing an answer. We have seen amazing things come to the forefront in the history of humankind hopefully our collective energies can find us another amazing discovery in our pursuit of energy.

 

[YosemiteSam]

...alternative energy sources are a real complex issue. The best answer is when someone invents a solution where benefit meets cost meets performance meets reliability meets viability meets general consumer friendliness.

We haven't necessarily seen that yet, but its good to know that people are pursuing an answer. We have seen amazing things come to the forefront in the history of humankind hopefully our collective energies can find us another amazing discovery in our pursuit of energy.

My pocket nuclear reactor fits the bill. Of course, I'm still trying to get scientific organizations to buy my pocket hadron collider too.

 

[CowboyWay]

I'm all for alternative energy sources. The problem that I see is that you are depending on nature to provide a strong enough wind current to operate this. That is not always going to be available. What we need to do is find something that is readily available on an ongoing basis that be trusted over the long term.

?

Whats more readily available and on an ongoing basis more than wind?

You're looking at this thing the wrong way. Don't look at it as you're going to have every light and appliance on at once on a zero wind day and expect it to get you off the grid. Its shortsided.

Think of it this way......You and the Mrs get up and go to work. Very few things are on in your house, its a normal day, not overly windy, but not stagnant either. The turbine is working all day though, and storing all the electricity in batteries while you're at work.

You come home at 5pm and turn everything on, but instead of you using powerplant electricity, you're using the electricity you've been storing all day. There is more than enough to get you through until you go to bed. Then, once you're in bed, the turbine is still working to give you electricity when you wake up. It NEVER stops making electricity unless it is a completely stagnant day. When that day comes, you use the electricity in your batteries, or buy from the grid. Either way, you're electricity bill becomes very, very small compared to what you have been paying.

Solar works the same way. You store it, and use it when you want.

I haven't been able to find how big these turbines are, but its not something you'd put in your yard at this point, but you never know how small they can make them in time. You can buy smaller rotational turbines all over for well under 5K. Heck, there are websites that teach you how to build your own for very little money.

Nobody is saying that a 5K turbine is going to run Rockefeller Center, but for the majority of people, it would result in 40-70% reduction in grid power to run their home. That is a tremendous amount of energy saved. Combine that with solar panels, and the vast majority of people would be off the grid completely except for the craziest weather days.

Its fascinating technology.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Whats more readily available and on an ongoing basis more than wind?

You're looking at this thing the wrong way. Don't look at it as you're going to have every light and appliance on at once on a zero wind day and expect it to get you off the grid. Its shortsided.

Think of it this way......You and the Mrs get up and go to work. Very few things are on in your house, its a normal day, not overly windy, but not stagnant either. The turbine is working all day though, and storing all the electricity in batteries while you're at work.

You come home at 5pm and turn everything on, but instead of you using powerplant electricity, you're using the electricity you've been storing all day. There is more than enough to get you through until you go to bed. Then, once you're in bed, the turbine is still working to give you electricity when you wake up. It NEVER stops making electricity unless it is a completely stagnant day. When that day comes, you use the electricity in your batteries, or buy from the grid. Either way, you're electricity bill becomes very, very small compared to what you have been paying.

Solar works the same way. You store it, and use it when you want.

I haven't been able to find how big these turbines are, but its not something you'd put in your yard at this point, but you never know how small they can make them in time. You can buy smaller rotational turbines all over for well under 5K. Heck, there are websites that teach you how to build your own for very little money.

Nobody is saying that a 5K turbine is going to run Rockefeller Center, but for the majority of people, it would result in 40-70% reduction in grid power to run their home. That is a tremendous amount of energy saved. Combine that with solar panels, and the vast majority of people would be off the grid completely except for the craziest weather days.

Its fascinating technology.

Like I said I am all for new sources of energy, but they need to get this stuff developed and then get it to market in a way that satisfies both the pocket book, the eye and the demand.

I can't imagine a subdivision with 100 homes all with wind mills (Turbines) being all that attractive.

Now if they can make them small and still give them a cost/benefit advantage, then maybe. As I said, I am all for the study of the technology. We just aren't there yet and won't be for many years.

But you have to start somewhere. I'm glad this is being pursued.

 

[MapleLeaf]

My pocket nuclear reactor fits the bill. Of course, I'm still trying to get scientific organizations to buy my pocket hadron collider too.

...your prototype and I'll do the marketing for you...for a fee of course.

Maybe we will have the next Flowbee, or Slap Chop or Pocket Fisherman.

 

[YosemiteSam]

...your prototype and I'll do the marketing for you...for a fee of course.

Maybe we will have the next Flowbee, or Slap Chop or Pocket Fisherman.

The Flowbee and Slap Chop are far more advanced than my pocket nuclear reactor or pocket hadron collider! :laugh2:

 

[Cajuncowboy]

The Flowbee and Slap Chop are far more advanced than my pocket nuclear reactor or pocket hadron collider! :laugh2:

I think if you combine the Slap Chop and the Pocket Fisherman, you essentially have the Pocket Hardon collider, no?

 

[burmafrd]

There are only certain areas of the country where the wind can be counted on to be consistently strong enough for these to justify their expense.

Current household systems cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to instal and get ready. To pay off the costs of the system with reduced electric bills normally take about 10-15 years in areas with good wind situations. Look at it this way: you would have to save $100 a month for you to pay off the system that costs $12,000 in 10 years. And that is not counting repairs and maintenance.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I think if you combine the Slap Chop and the Pocket Fisherman, you essentially have the Pocket Hardon collider, no?

I want no part of that product! :laugh2:

 

[CowboyWay]

Like I said I am all for new sources of energy, but they need to get this stuff developed and then get it to market in a way that satisfies both the pocket book, the eye and the demand. They already have. Granted, some of the really killer high tech stuff is still way out of reach for most people, but you have to start somewhere. You just bought a plasma TV. Remember what those things were going for about 5-8 years ago? Very expensive. But the richer folks bought them, and the technology got cheaper and cheaper. Same with DVD players, walkmans, etc etc. The list goes on and on.

I can't imagine a subdivision with 100 homes all with wind mills (Turbines) being all that attractive.
I can. keep in mind, most consumer models are about 3 feet tall and 60 inches in circumference. Plus whatever pole or roof you attached it to.

Now if they can make them small and still give them a cost/benefit advantage, then maybe. As I said, I am all for the study of the technology. We just aren't there yet and won't be for many years.

But you have to start somewhere. I'm glad this is being pursued.

This is a great site for people who want to know about the consumer models. http://www.wepower.us/products/

 

[Warick]

That is pretty neat, but I wonder what kind of sounds that would make, and how loud it will be (for anyone living around it). Interesting concept.

 

[SaltwaterServr]

A poster above needs to keep in mind that the highest peak electrical usage is in the early AM when everyone is getting up and heading to school/work. Hair dryers, stoves, coffee pots, water heaters, your early morning tv and radio shows come on, etc. Then you have all of the businesses waking up for the day as well. The peak at night is subdued to a point because business shuts down for the day while home usage spikes.

There ain't much wind at 7 am. Traditional sources such as coal and hopefully expanded nuclear will always have a role due to our usage patterns.