The wind energy researchers at Sandia
National Laboratories have been re-evaluating vertical axis wind turbines
(VAWTs) in order to help solving some of the energy-generating problems
concerning the offshore breezes.
Although the idea of VAWTs has been known
since the first days of wind energy research,
now the VAWT architecture can transform the offshore wind
technology. It offers three major
advantages that are able to cut down on
the wind energy costs.
- A lower turbine center of gravity ( allowing the improvement in stability afloat and lower gravitational fatigue loads).
- Reduction in machine complexity.
- Improved scalability to large sizes.
Furthermore, the drivetrain on a VAWT is at
or, at least, near the surface, which provides the ease of maintenance and is
less time-devouring. All the above-mentioned factors lead to the substantial
reduction of the maintenance costs.
Sandia is carrying the research as a result of Department of Energy (DOE) solicitation for providing the advanced rotor technologies for the U.S. offshore windpower generation. The project is going to take 5 years and is going to cost $ 4.1 million. Eventually, it is also going to revolutionize the construction industry as VAWTs are elegant, mechanically simplistic and consist of fewer parts, because they don’t need a control system, pointing them towards the blowing wind to generate power.
Image source:
http://www.wholesale-electrical-electronics.com
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