Photovoltaic energy continues to skyrocket across America (especially in states like Texas and California). However, self-consumption is still an almost unknown option in the rest of the country… something that now you will be able to bring to your home in a novel and almost futuristic way. These are the “honeycomb” wind turbines that you can have at home… even on the ground to generate electricity.
New wind turbines are not as you think: you don´t believe this invention
Honeycomb wind turbines should be considered the leading candidates for the next generation of wind turbines departing from the traditional propeller-blade turbines which we all have become familiar with. By the way, the “beehive” turbine consists of structure, which looks like a honeycomb.
Unlike rotor blades, these turbines have stationary cells that form a honeycomb extending from circular holes or cavities. The process in which wind flows through the apertures made in the cells cells making their cell walls shake and throb results in vibration of the whole structure.
The hexagonal shape, on the other hand, brings about a variety of possible benefits as opposed to the conventional horizontal-axis that are commonly used for turbines. The absence in the moving parts, EDWT are responsible for their quietness, durability and easier maintenance.
Scientists across the world are now designing and performing tests to determine the viability of such a design in a real world wind energy operation setting. Both big picture design and small-scale implementations are under consideration. This line of turbines may be a game changer, they may become a key asset for wind power.
Why are them honeycomb-designed? It´s more logical than what one may think
By implementing a honeycomb design, wind turbines are able to maximize the surface area covered with picometry in a minimum of space. With the hexagonal structure that is densely separated, turbines can deal properly with more energy from wind; while conventional ones are limited to deal with shallow incoming winds.
Instead of large spinning blades mounted in a circular shape on a central tower, the honeycomb turbines have neither spinning blades nor blades attached to a central tower, rather have vertical stationary blades packed tightly together.
The installation’s blades are configured in such a way that they grab wind coming from multiple directions efficiently. Because of the fact that they are placed side by side, the honeycombs increase the amount of airflow per unit mass as compared to a spinning blades on the side.
An idea that several companies are developing: the future-generation of wind turbines?
A number of companies and research labs are pursuing the way of production of such blades of a honeycomb wind turbine as a new and promising design option. These propellers consist of a honeycomb framework rather than the conventional blades, to catch the wind energy.
Vortex Bladeless, a Spanish company, made this bladeless wind turbine which is the morphology of a stake that moves up and down with the wind. It uses the vorticity, which being the spinning motion around a central axis, to generate electricity from moving wind.
Their contract is that they have been designed from a hollow cone made of galvanized fiberglass that is mounted on a concrete base. When wind passes the pole, vortex shedding can initiate the corresponding resonance and the pole moving becomes visible.
What do you think about these wind turbines for self-consumption? They are an almost futuristic option (as we mentioned before) inspired by nature, with the characteristic honeycomb shape. Best of all? You don’t need to put them on the roof; they even work on the ground, something we’ve never seen before. Undoubtedly, an ideal alternative if you do not have space to place solar panels or do not want to make a high investment.
