Revolutionary Magnus (Spiral Fin) Turbine Generates Power at a Low Cost

Copyright MECARO Co., Ltd.

MECARO Co., in Akita Prefecture (in northern Japan) launched large-scale production and sales of the Vortes-model wind turbine, in April 2007. It is the world's first wind turbine based on the principle of the Magnus effect, enabling the turbine to turn using lift generated by spinning cylinders with spiral fins instead of the usual propeller-like blades.

The lift of the Vortes is four times that of conventional propeller-type wind turbines, and the turbine operates at any wind speed. Thanks to the greater lift, its rotational speed can be lowered to around 25 percent of that of propeller-type turbines, resulting in lower noise levels.

Its cylindrical, durable blades and low rotational speed reduces this wind turbine's vulnerability to damage caused by aerial objects. In addition, since the spinning cylinders are controlled depending on wind speed, the Vortes can operate without a brake, and there is no concern about excess rotational speed in the case of strong wind--another safety feature. These technical improvements make it possible to install the Vortes even in or near residential areas, where there would otherwise be noise or safety concerns.

Until now, wind power generation has not been considered a viable investment for electricity generation except for large megawatt-scale turbines. In the case of a 10 kilowatt turbine (equivalent to electrical power consumption of five or six typical households), however, the Magnus wind turbine has succeeded in reducing the power-generating cost to 45 yen (about U.S. 38 cents) per kilowatt, below the cost of solar power generation.

http://www.mecaro.jp/eng/index.html

Posted: 2007/07/21 01:07:05 PM
Japanese version