Wind

Vertical Axis Wind Turbines by EcoEnergy Supplies

Unique to the UK, these systems have been designed for the urban environment and areas with turbulent wind patterns.

The primary advantage that the 'VAWT' has over many wind turbines is that it can work in an urban environment (most other wind turbines are normally sited out of town). The 'VAWT' system has been specifically designed to use the vortices created by buildings and built up environments to its advantage. There are four sizes to choose from; the 'VAWT' 4 and 8 systems (4meter and 8meter diameter) are primarily designed for industrial installation, whilst the 'VAWT' 1 and 2 (1 and 2 meter diameter) are more suited to domestic and small scale applications.

High-rise offices and flats, industrial buildings, retail premises, schools, mobile phone masts and any other urban situation can be accommodated subject to survey. An initial survey, using an anemometer is carried out and this is left on site to determine wind speeds. This will assist in providing the correct system and size of generator pertinent to a specific installation. Once this has been determined a structural survey by a RICS qualified surveyor will take place to determine fixings. Once agreed the 'VAWT' system will be manufactured by EcoEnergy Supplies LTD in South Wales. From initial survey to installation will normally take 1-2 months as we provide a bespoke system.

The 'VAWT' system can be roof mounted or pylon mounted dependant on specific requirements and often does not require planning permission.

It can generate electricity at a wind speed as low as 2mph and, dependant on specification and model, can provide up to 36KW.

The axis symmetry of the 'VAWT' enables it to be totally independent from wind direction changes (as shown in fig.1). Indeed, the fixed wings of the 'VAWT' and the moving blades of the rotor are distributed in a symmetrical way around the vertical shaft of the machine, thus operating in any and all directional winds. The result is an optimal working whatever the wind direction, which is particularly useful with urban winds, that are characterised by frequent direction changes.

Fig 1

Construction

The 'VAWT' offers the possibility to integrate into the turbine a rigid tubular structure, that allows the it to resist violent winds. This structure surrounds the rotor and maintains it rigidity, thus absorbing mechanical strains and aerodynamic vibrations (swirls on rotor blades, periodic variation of the torque applied to the shaft). The whole rotor is made in aluminium, in order to reduce weight, thus enabling it to adapt instantaneously its rotation speed according to the wind speed. Not only does this aid the extremely low start up speeds (see fig 3). Keeping the weight to a minimum enables the 'VAWT' to be installed on most existing structures without major alterations and additional expense.

Fig 2

What are it's uses?

The mechanical energy generated by the 'VAWT' can be:

converted in continuous current and charge batteries
or converted in alternative current and supply the installation site with electricity
or converted in alternative current which can be re-injected on the national network
or directly used to pump water
or directly used by mechanical devices