The concept is now under production. This is probably the coolest development in wind technology ever. It’s a vision of a magnetically levitated wind turbine that can generate one gigawatt of power (enough to power 750,000 homes). This is the device proposed by a new Arizona-based company, MagLev Wind Turbine Technologies. The company claims that it can deliver clean power for less than one cent per kilowatt hour using this wind turbine. It is being regarded as a key breakthrough in the evolution of global wind power technology, boosting generation capacity by as much as 20% over traditional wind turbines, and dropping operational costs by as much as 50%.
Developers:
The new wind power technology was the result of collaboration between Guangzhou Energy Research Institute, under China’s Academy of Sciences, and Guangzhou Zhongke Hengyuan Energy Science & Technology Co., Ltd. Guokun Li is chief of Zhongke Energy and lead developer on the project.
Advantages:
The technology is expected to create new opportunities in low-wind-speed areas, with starting speeds as low as 1.5 meters per second (m/s), and cut-in speeds of 3 m/s, uses more wind energy , cost 50-75% less to build, requires less time to build, standardized engineering to ease construction and duplication, generate more electricity for less, rated at 1gW per unit, require less maintenance, permanent crane, helicopter pad, longer life span (500 years structure, 100 years LSM/LSG, 50 ears turbine blades, no decommissioning, operates in low and high speed wind, operates in low and high speed wind, operates in wind speeds exceeding 40m/sec. (80mph), one year (ROI) , greater profit potential, require considerably less land and will not harm animal life.
Via: Ecotality
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Energy conservation - The transition
For the past several years, all the debates and analyses related to the use of primary energies are influenced by a set of incontrovertible facts. They all lead to the same conclusion: ”it is essential to rationalize the use of energy on a world-wide scale, in order to ensure the sustainable future of the species that inhabit the planet and of the corresponding biodiversity that supports them”.
A transition to a sustainable energy system is necessary, also from “the economic point of view”, that guarantees the maintenance of our generation’s and future generations’ welfare, from a perspective of respecting the environment.
This transition requires significant effort in research, development and technological innovation, as well as greater social awareness of the energy problem. In the short and medium term, the objectives for implementing a sustainable energy system would include the application of measures such as:
• Encouraging energy saving and efficiency.
• Promoting renewable energy sources.
• The development of the necessary energy infrastructures to face the increase in consumption during this period of transition (gas-based infrastructures).