Jun
11
Windy City Hosts Windpower 2009
By
The American Wind Energy Association held its annual conference in Chicago showcasing more than 1200 exhibitors at the McCormick Place Convention Center in May 2009. Topping the AWEA’s agenda is pushing congress to create a Renewable Energy Standard. Their hope is a benchmark on renewable energy investment will coax the wind energy industry out of its recent slump and kick-start an enduring commitment to renewable energy development in the United States. Considering Obama’s pledge to create green jobs during his administration, it won’t take long before a RES is passed and we start to see wind turbines dotting Lake Michigan’s horizon.
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5 Comments
June 11th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
“…Like many good inventions, it takes smart business leadership to make them a success. We will have to wait and see if this technology makes an impact or not.”
June 11th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Straight from Bruce: “The Magnus effect can be seen applied in verticle axis on the Flettner vessels which sailed the Atlantic with verticle axis sails. Jaques Custeau also had a similar design. The difference was in the addition of the spiral fins around the cylinder. This enhances the ‘tornadic’ effect around the surface (like stitches on a curveball) crating more torque around the central hub….”
June 11th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Good question. I’ll see if Bruce has any comment about that.
June 11th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
The magnus effect wind turbine is fascinating. If the claim that their turbine is 50% efficient is true, then that is an incredible breakthrough. I wonder if vertical axis turbines can be more efficient using the magnus effect?
June 11th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Very interesting stuff. Lets get rid of fossil fuels!!!!!