Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

With ever increasing economic concerns related to rising energy costs, power interruptions, and environmental challenges, the need to install renewable and alternative energy technologies is greater than ever before. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (or VAWTs) have been developed to meet the requirements of renewable energy, long life span, efficiency, durability and once installed, require minimal maintenance.

VAWTs differ from conventional turbines in many ways, the first of which is that they have the main rotor shaft arranged vertically. The key benefit of this arrangement is that the turbine does not need to be pointed into the wind to be effective. This is an advantage on sites where the wind direction is highly variable, as VAWTs can utilize winds from varying directions. The result of this is a turbine uniquely suited to a broad array of applications. Commercial buildings, urban areas, populated centers, homes, schools, industries, public spaces and park areas are all places that could benefit from on-site energy through the use of VAWTs.

• No massive tower structure required

• Extremely quiet (records show no perceptible increase in noise levels in normal background conditions)

• Rotor blades are aligned vertically, no yaw mechanism is needed

• Can be located nearer the ground, making it easier to maintain the moving parts

• Improved aerodynamics and decreased drag at high and low pressures

• Can produce up to 50% more electricity per year than conventional turbines with the same swept area

• Generate electricity at much lower wind speeds, as low as 4 mph (1.5 m/s)

• Usually have a lower tip speed ratio and so are less likely to break in high winds

• May be built at locations where taller structures are prohibited

• Do not need to face the wind to generate

• Will not harm wildlife, in terms of birds and bat strikes

Advantages of VAWTs

Truly “green” systems using a combination of renewable energy (wind/solar) with cogeneration technology, such as microturbines and fuel cells should be able to provide anywhere from 50% to 97% reductions in energy use while improving indoor air quality.

Furthermore, states such as California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and the Federal government support alternative energy technologies by offering incentives, rebates and tax credits for on-site power and/or renewable electric generation.