Wind currently accounts for 10,3% of America’s electricity a number that continues to grow year on year thanks to the support that our country offers to this type of technology. However, each wind turbine poses risks to local bird populations and other inconveniences. The solution? Vibrating wind turbines that produce electricity without the need for blades.
The ultimate in sustainability is vibrating energy: this is the wind turbine without blades.
Although wind turbines are one of the best technologies for producing electricity without greenhouse gas emissions, they are not without certain environmental impacts and even health problems for nearby populations. Impact studies for installing wind farms are becoming increasingly rigorous due to reports of reductions in bird populations.
Hundreds of these animals are killed by collisions with the huge blades when flying near wind farms, and there have been cases where they interfere with migratory routes. They can also affect nesting seasons. On the other hand, health problems such as migraines and insomnia have been reported due to the low-frequency noise produced by the turbines when generating electricity.
For these problems, a Spanish company, Bladless Vortex, has created an extremely promising solution: a 2.75-metre high pole made of flexible materials that oscillates when the wind passes through its cylindrical structure. It has a linear generator at the base that has no moving parts like a traditional wind turbine and is also cheaper.
How efficient can a wind turbine that uses no blades or turbines be?
The Bladless Vortex technology is based on a phenomenon that occurs when wind passes through a cylindrical structure, producing eddies or vortices on either side of the target in what is known as ‘wind-induced vorticity’. This produces oscillations that move a series of coils and magnets, producing direct current that can be stored in batteries or converted into alternating current.
The company has unveiled two models: the Vortex Nano, which can generate a few watts to power sensors and small electronic devices, and the Vortex Tacoma, which is almost three metres tall and powerful enough for LED lights and small off-grid installations. The idea is to install this wind turbine in environments that are not suitable for traditional wind turbines.
The firm’s plan is to create larger models that could produce 1 kW, enough for individual homes. The engineers say they could create even larger models for more complex installations in the future. For the time being, their applications would be complementary to other energy sources such as solar panels and to distribute them in larger quantities on available land.
Traditional wind turbines vs. Bladeless Vortex: costs, efficiency and necessary conditions
Unlike a traditional wind turbine, the Bladeless Vortex requires no moving parts and its simple shape makes it simpler and cheaper to produce. It also requires less maintenance, greatly increasing the lifetime of its components.
On the other hand, direct energy conversion efficiency is lower, although, since it is still in the development phase, this factor is expected to improve progressively with each new prototype. It should also be considered that the wind speed range before having to shut down the device to avoid damage is lower, which, for the time being, affects the constancy of the electricity supply.
America produces clean electricity for the whole of Europe
America is one of the countries that produces the largest amount of electricity from renewable sources, to the point that it is even said that we have generated too much renewable energy. With this in mind, it is not surprising that this new Iberian-made bladeless generator will soon be present in vibrating energy wind farms throughout the country.