A Hydrogen-filled Wind Turbine!

A Hydrogen-filled Wind Turbine!
In Ontario, Canada, the company “LTA Windpower is developing a revolutionary type of wind turbine. In fact, it’s not really correct to describe it as a turbine at all. It’s more like a blimp with two spinning propellers. It’s called the PowerShip. oh, and it’s filled with hydrogen gas. Yep, the one that’s very inflammable and… Read the rest

The End for Mechanical Gearboxes?

The End for Mechanical Gearboxes?
Turbines are big sturdy beasts. They should be robust and able to stand a lot of what the elements can throw at them. But even the best of them needs maintenance from time to time.  And then there’s the unexpected freak gust of wind.   An unexpected gust can stress the mechanical gearbox of the turbine… Read the rest

What is a Suction Bucket Jacket??

What is a Suction Bucket Jacket??
Does it sound like something you’d need in your loft water tank, or maybe something to fix a leak in your plumbing system? No. The Suction Bucket Jacket is something that could profoundly affect the offshore wind industry. DONG Energy has collaborated with the Carbon Trust Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) to bring about an innovative and… Read the rest

VisionAIR3: Heralding a Revolution in Wind Turbines?

VisionAIR3: Heralding a Revolution in Wind Turbines?
In the last few days, the official debut of a new vertical axis micro wind turbine was launched.  It’s a  new addition to the UGE (formerly Urban Green Energy) portfolio of turbines.  It’s called the “VisionAIR3″ and is a ramped-up, high-efficiency version of the company’s earlier micro-vertical axis wind turbine models. in 2012 UGE  partnered with… Read the rest

A Revolutionary Bladeless Turbine is Unveiled

A Revolutionary Bladeless Turbine is Unveiled
A wind turbine without blades? Is that possible?? Yes! Vortex Bladeless have demonstrated how their turbines generate electricity from the wind through movement of the mast- and not a blade in sight! It may be that you have got very blasé about wind turbines. After all, they’ve been around for quite a few decades and are… Read the rest

The Sound of Wind Power

The Sound of Wind Power
The anti-wind and pro-fossil fuels lobbies frequently make a lot of fuss about the (allegedly) deleterious effects of being in close proximity to operational wind turbines. There is a lot of heat generated and not much light in these debates. But one University is going to grasp the bull by the turbine blades/horns and shed some… Read the rest

The Calming Effects of Wind Turbines

The Calming Effects of Wind Turbines
In the debates about the environmental effects of wind farms and wind turbines, it’s unfortunate that a lot of media coverage is given to those that see them as a blight on the land and the offshore seascapes; towering monstrosities of evening sunlight deflection and distracting noise. many of these people have never been near a… Read the rest

Mon Dieu! Sacre Bleu! Is this the Most Famous Wind Turbine in the World?

Mon Dieu! Sacre Bleu! Is this the Most Famous Wind Turbine in the World?
The Eiffel Tower is France’s most recognisable landmark, but a wind turbine too? Is it going to rotate in a strong breeze? Well, no, but it has had a couple of wind turbines installed within it, to power the various activities that take place on the Tower’s first floor. And don’t get worried, the French are… Read the rest

Living in a Turbine – The Dutch Wind Wheel

Living in a Turbine – The Dutch Wind Wheel
A lot of people can grumble about the sight and sounds of wind turbines.  Others, particularly those of a green persuasion, can see them as majestic towers of whirling beauty. However, few would think about actually living inside a wind turbine. You’re probably thinking about the traditional type of wind turbine, in which case, yes, it… Read the rest