BLADELESS WIND TURBINE

Energy problem is increasing all over the world, conventional energy creating sources
like burning fossil fuels, produces much air pollution creating different kinds of diseases
and bringing destruction. However there are a number of different new energy sources
being developed nowadays.
Its nowadays not surprising to see 100 foot spinning wheel moving in
breeze when you drive down the highway. But do not make yourself comfortable with
that view, as engineers have now developed wind turbine without using large blades. A
Spanish company called vortex bladeless has developed a new way to generate
energy.

How the idea of bladeless wind turbine came up

Day by day transportation is becoming more challenging this is due to the size of
different components, individual blades and also tower section which require straight
and wider roads as well as specialized trucks. Wind turbines nowadays have become
heavier. The gearboxes and generator weigh more than 100 tons on supporting towers
which are about 100 meters off the ground. Thus increase in height and weight of
turbines causes the cost of material of stronger and wider support tower, along with the
maintenance of these components 100 meters above the ground, cuts the efficiency of
large turbines.
Therefore engineers were in search of alternative energy sources, but the most
latest on which a group of engineers called vortex came up with was the bladeless
wind turbine. Therefore rather than obtaining energy from circling motion of propellers,
the engineers of vortex took the concept of vorticity, producing a spinning vortices
pattern through an aerodynamic effect. For architects and engineers vorticity has not
been considered suitable because the new bladeless wind turbines lessen the
designing work and components as it is just a standing structure with no blades.

Design of bladeless wind turbine

A bladeless wind turbine looks like a giant conical joint shaped structure
aiming in the sky. The shape of bladeless wind turbine is designed in such a way that
the revolving wind can be encountered at the same rate. However the bladeless wind
turbines occupies about 30% less space than those conventional wind turbines it means
that we can place upto two vortex wind turbines in the same area, as the main part of
conventional wind turbines that is the propellers are not coming in the way.

How Does The Turbine Works ?

It works on the principle of vorticity. The prototype is composed of carbon
fiber and composite of fiberglass that grants mast to oscillate as much as it has potential
(as natural frequency is reduced by increasing mass). There are two rings of opposite
fields of magnets acting as a non electric motor on the basement of the central mast. As
the cone turns in one direction the repelling magnetic rings pulls it in opposite direction.
Small whirlwinds are formed on the backside when the wind blows through the turbine,
and as it goes increasing and become large enough it causes the wind turbine to move
back and forth. The kinetic energy produced runs the alternator which boosts the
frequency of towers oscillation, converting the motion into effective form of energy.

Why the conventional wind turbines are being

replaced?
There are some factors that led the engineers to develop bladeless wind turbine.

Cost:-
The bladeless wind turbine is 51% less cheaper than a traditional wind turbine,
as the heavy and long blades and gearing system are no more used.
Environmental Problems:-
The traditional wind turbines are placed in wind farms which causes
habitat destruction. The wind turbines can be placed in man-made structures in number
of ways. For example agriculture lands such as farmlands can be used to incorporate
the large structures.

Mortality Rate Of Birds:-

Another problem with traditional wind turbine was the increase of
mortality rate of certain bird species. It depends upon the area where these wind
turbines are placed they may increase wild life fatalities. Such as in California about
1300 birds are killed each year.

Noise:-
Noise is also one of the factor although you cannot hear the sound from a mile,
but if you are living near it will make a very unpleasant sound.

Power generation:-
Bladeless wind turbine will produce more power per square foot than
traditional wind turbine.

Shadow Flicker:-
When the blades of the rotor cast a shadow, shadow flicker occurs due
to the movement of blades of the rotor. According to research this light alteration may
put a worst condition, that is about 100 minutes per annum near residents, and under
normal circumstances it is about only 20 minutes per annum. Therefore the wind farms
designers are avoiding placing conventional wind turbines in those places where these
shadow flickers may cause problems to the near residents.

Construction:-
Wind system involves the large and heavy equipments transportation.
This may cause large temporarily disturbance in the areas near where turbine are
placed. Erosion is also one of the environmental problems that come out from
construction projects. Thus the most stable technique to lessen erosion is by avoiding
grading of roads and by performing site repossession post construction.

Wind Speed:-
Conventional wind turbines needed smooth and laminar flow of wind,
however in case of bladeless wind turbine they can adapt any wind speed to generate
electricity.
Propellers:-
Conventional wind turbines uses propellers to generate electricity, but now
no blades are required as they work on the principle of vorticity.

Components Of Bladeless Wind Turbine

Mast:-
It is a circular structure made up of carbon fiber and
fiber glass it is light in weight. It acts as a wind breaker
and generates oscillatory motion.

Rod:-
Made of carbon fiber, the rod gives
the flexibility and strength to the movement,
and minimize dissipation of energy.

Generation system:-
The kinetic energy from the wind is converted into
electricity by a built in linear alternator.

Tuning Passive System:-

A magnetic confinement provides movement
stability and extends operating hours.

Foundation:-
Reduced significantly because of the vortex
lightness and its low set center of gravity.

Future Of Bladeless Wind Turbine:-

In the conventional wind turbines there is no doubt a much room for improvement,
therefore the inventors, engineers and entrepreneurs came across such invention. The
bladeless wind turbines may have a bright future ahead as the energy produced by
these turbines will cost 40% less than those conventional wind turbines. And the design
of this wind turbine is made in such a way that they occupy less space than
conventional wind turbines, thus giving more electricity. The vortex has predicted that
there product will be coming in market up till June 2016 and it will be interesting to see
the response of consumers!

MADE BY,

Mustafa Abbas

PE-035
 References

1. http://www.aginnovators.org.au/news/no-gears-no-blades-wind-turbines-get-
modern-makeover

2. http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/vortex-bladeless-wind-turbine-
indiegogo/

3. http://www.vortexbladeless.com/news.php

4. http://futurism.com/the-furture-of-wind-power-scientists-are-creating-new-
bladeless-wind-turbines/

5. http://www.wired.com/2015/05/future-wind-turbines-no-blades/

6. http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/jun/01/can-
bladeless-wind-turbines-mute-opposition

7. https://www.technologyreview.com/s/537721/bladeless-wind-turbines-may-
offer-more-form-than-function/