Eastern Wind Power says its Sky Farm wind turbine can produce up to 55,000 kWh of energy per year making it ideal for many small-wind applications.
Conventional or horizontal-axis wind turbines are most commonly encountered in the wind industry. In ideal conditions, one can produce a lot of energy, but the design is are less productive in turbulent wind. Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT), however, can capture wind energy when it is inconsistent or turbulent. With this in mind, Eastern Wind Power (www.easternwindpower.com) developed the Sky Farm 50-kW VAWT that withstands quickly changing winds in urban and rural settings. The company says the turbine works well on high-rise buildings, rooftops, pole-mounted in open areas, or as a mobile unit, and can provide power for basic needs, such as lighting.
At Martha’s Vineyard Airport in Massachusetts, the VAWT proved its endurance by tolerating turbulence whipped up by aircraft. For instance, the Colgan Air twin engine-turbo prop provided a High Wind Test that generated hurricane-force winds, up to 110 mph.
The turbine is ideal for islands and developing countries because it can supply power in areas where electricity is scarce or expensive. What’s more, the turbine’s design allows mounting two or more close together, which would produce its namesake, a Sky Farm.
At Martha’s Vineyard Airport in Massachusetts, the VAWT proved its endurance by tolerating turbulence whipped up by aircraft. For instance, the Colgan Air twin engine-turbo prop provided a High Wind Test that generated hurricane-force winds, up to 110 mph.
As a mobile unit, the Sky Farm wind turbine comes as a self-contained power station. The company says this version includes an on-board battery and charger, a capability to charge external batteries, a communications center, and grid connection nodes.
A mobile version of the turbine can serve as a self-contained power station or assist other utilities feeding electricity to the grid. The technology meets the needs of disaster relief services, rural electrification micro-grid applications, rural communications-ground stations, and military defense-field operations. The unit is simple to install in the field because the hydraulic hardware for erecting the tower is adapted from a traditional fire truck, says the company. The turbine is shipped in a 20 ft. ISO container that also serves as the turbine’s foundation. Its blades are hinged at the connection joints and open like a tripod locking in an open rigid position.
The Sky Farm turbine uses three, six-meter carbon-fiber blades and stainless-steel castings for increased endurance. The company says the turbine keeps a low-noise profile compared to conventional turbines and poses less risk to birds. Also, the absence of a gearbox decreases mechanical issues. WPE
Filed Under: Featured, Towers, Turbines
Show me the power curve!
Nic, Since yesterday it wasn’t posted, I thought it was redacted by the moderator, sorry for that.
And yes, the article I referred to is dated, but still completely valid. I do have a mechanical engineering background and some experience dealing with fluid dynamics I’d say 🙂 and I am getting pretty upset when I see claims which defy physics and everything which is opposite to scientific truth. I also think, that “WindPower Engineering” is not a place for this kind of stories, which undermines a serious industry. Shouldn’t a publication like “Windpower Engineering” not be more serious than the mainstream media, and check the facts, before writing an article which is based solely on the claims of a company’s press release???
VAWT’s at AWEA 2013 – Attention from large OEM’s ? Please give me some insight, as I have not noticed – unless you mean WePOWER and sorts – what happened to them ? 🙂
Since you cancelled my previous post, will you remove this link also ? :
http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/vertical-axis-wind-turbines-zmaz08fmzmcc.aspx#axzz2mwPNJtRi
It certainly provides better information.
Luis, what did you previous post say? I don’t see anything cancelled from your email address. Please let me know.
I am simply amazed that anyone having even little knowledge about wind power and wind turbines is even buying the claims made about vertical Darrieus type VAWT . The claim “Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT), however, can capture wind energy when it is inconsistent or turbulent” is inherently false and misleading. Also, in order to produce 50kW with the given rotor dimensions, it would need ~22m/s wind-speed, assuming 30% efficiency, which is unlikely to be achieved with NACA 0012 or 8H12 wings which seem to be used here. – And it would take an average wind speed of ~14.5m/s to get it to produce “Eastern Wind Power says its Sky Farm wind turbine can produce up to 55,000 kWh of energy per year making it ideal for many small-wind applications.” 55,000 kWh.
So please get realistic, and avoid printing / reporting stuff like this.
The article you referenced is from 2008, do you have anything more current? Also, were you at AWEA 2013? VAWTs received quite a bit of attention, especially from the large OEMs.
Church is interested in windpower for their facilities? What is involved in installing and pricing for 2 or 3 units.
What is typical speed of rotation? In the absence of a gearbox, what is the linking arrangement to the Generator?
Since it occupies very little ground space, it is a definite advantage compared to equally sized PV power plant. But what is the total capital cost per kW as compared to PV? In India we have good sunshine in most parts of the country and relative cost permitting, PV would be the preferred choice.
Hi,
I am interested as a reseller of wind products. I would like to know what a 50 kw system would cost. What is the wholesale and retail price?
What type of foundation is required? Average cost of installation, etc.?
Thanks,
Paul Reed President
Burly Wind Power Corp
775-473-2218
This great to see a refined/ robust vertical turbine with a higher rating. I deal with 5 kw vertical units and this size is ideal for smaller to mid size projects where capacity is under 1 MW. Nice to see some smaller USA companies starting to shine !
Thank you for the report.
This kind of turbines, also, have the advantage of capturing the wind from all directions, which is crucial in places where wind predominant direction is not assessed previously