Can Wind Lens Turbines Produce 3X Wind Power?

After the nuclear crisis experienced by Japan at the Fukishima Plant, they turned their focus on renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy. The already utilize wind energy throughout Japan at a rate of 0.3% of the total power grid. The only issues they currently have as with most wind power generation is the amount of noise as well as the efficiency of the actual turbines.

Wind Lens Turbines

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A new wind turbine has been designed that produces more than double the power output when compared to other turbines currently on the market. It is called a Wind Lens turbine. It is the brain child of Professor Yuji Ohya from the Research Institute Of Applied Mechanics at Kyushu University. The design is very simple, with the only major difference being a brim that is installed to in case the blades as they rotate. This lens helps the blades rotate at a faster rate than they would without the brim.

How It Works?

The brim diffuser helps accelerate the flow of the wind as it enters the turbine. A strong vortex in the immediate front of creates a region of low pressure, which in turn pulls the wind inside the blades. This is the magic that helps increase the power output. The goal now is to build a power plant that utilizes this technology on larger turbines which generate as much as 500,000 KW. This is comparable to the amount of power generated by a single reactor at Fukishima.

“There’s a good chance that wind power generation can replace nuclear power. Our society is already experiencing developments that have urged us to shift in that direction,” said Professor Yuji Ohya.

Taking The Wind Lens Offshore

Kyushu University is carrying out a study in Hakata Bay. They are trying to develop sturdy bases that they can use for sea floating wind turbines. They say that there is more wind out at sea, than on land therefore floating out wind turbines at sea would be a great way to access more wind. The base they design should be able to withstand any rough environment that is thrown at it by being out at sea.

“I believe that offshore Wind Lens Turbines will become a reliable source of energy if safety is ensured and the cost is cut to float them steadily on vast sea surfaces.” said Yusaku Kyozuka, Professor Kyushu University Graduate School.

Sea Floating Base Research & Development

Wind Lens Seafloat Platform

The base they are currently developing would not be expensive to build but very stable and durable. Different prototypes have been tested leading to one with a base that is shaped in the shape of a hexagon. This shape is ideal when trying to join the wind turbines together. The space that it creates in the middle could be used for other purposes such as fishing. The research on the actual wind lens itself is now being focused more on how it can be adopted for commercial uses.