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December 27, 2005

Mobile Air Rotors Use Wind to Generate Electricity

Kanata, Ontario, Canada [RenewableEnergyAccess.com]

This tethered device generates electrical energy as it rotates about a horizontal axis in response to wind. As a closed structure, the lighter-than-air Magenn Power Air Rotor System (MARS) lets the company produce wind rotors that are operable between 1 meter/sec and in excess of 28 meters/sec. The electrical energy is transferred down the tether to a transformer at a ground station and then transferred to the electricity power grid. Helium sustains the Air Rotor, which ascends to an altitude for best winds; and its rotation causes the Magnus effect, providing additional lift, stabilization, and causing it to pull up overhead rather than drift downwind on its tether. Large MARS units may be deployed to supplement established grid systems supporting the electrical requirements of large urban areas. Small MARS units could be deployed in disaster areas for emergency electrical power for medical and other disaster relief situations. They can correspond to changing wind patterns, offer up to 50 percent efficiency, and make use of higher winds from 400-ft to 1,000-ft above ground level. Company PR follows.

Magenn Air Rotors are mobile and can be easily moved to different locations to correspond to changing wind patterns. Mobility is also useful in emergency deployment and disaster relief situations.

The Magenn Power Air Rotor System (MARS) is an innovative lighter-than-air tethered device that rotates about a horizontal axis in response to wind, efficiently generating clean renewable electrical energy at a lower cost than all competing systems. This electrical energy is transferred down the tether to a transformer at a ground station and then transferred to the electricity power grid. Helium (an inert non-reactive lighter than air gas) sustains the Air Rotor which ascends to an altitude for best winds and its rotation also causes the Magnus effect. This provides additional lift, keeps the device stabilized, keeps it positioned within a very controlled and restricted location, and causes it to pull up overhead rather than drift downwind on its tether.

All competing wind generators use bladed two-dimensional disk-like structures and rigid towers. The Magenn Power Air Rotor system is a closed three-dimensional structure (cylinder). It offers high torque, low starting speeds, and superior overall efficiency thanks to its ability to deploy higher. The closed structure allows Magenn Power to produce wind rotors from very small to very large sizes at a fraction of the cost of current wind generators.

The Magenn system concept is deployment-flexible. Large MARS units may be deployed to supplement established grid systems supporting the electrical requirements of large urban areas. Small MARS units would be deployed in emergency, as-needed, and/or mobile applications (e.g., pack version deployed by a hiker, motorist, boater, or for military and emergency response applications). Various in-between sizes would be ideal for farms, houses and cottages located where grid power is nonexistent. Small to medium sized systems could also be air-dropped into disaster areas for emergency electrical power for medical and all other uses.

The distinct advantages of the Magenn Air Rotor System design are as follows:

* Magenn Air Rotor System is less expensive per unit of actual electrical energy output than competing wind power systems.
* Magenn Power Air Rotor System will deliver time-averaged output much closer to its rated capacity than the capacity factor typical with conventional designs. Magenn efficiency will be 40 to 50 percent. This is hugely important, since doubling capacity factor cuts the cost of each delivered watt by half.
* Wind farms can be placed closer to demand centers, reducing transmission line costs and transmission line loses.
* Conventional wind generators are only operable in wind speeds between 3 meters/sec and 28 meters/sec. Magenn Air Rotors are operable between 1 meter/sec and in excess of 28 meters/sec.
* Magenn Air Rotors can be raised to higher altitudes, thus capitalizing on higher winds aloft. Altitudes from 400-ft to 1,000-ft above ground level are possible, without having to build an expensive tower, or use a crane to perform maintenance.
* Magenn Air Rotors are mobile and can be easily moved to different locations to correspond to changing wind patterns. Mobility is also useful in emergency deployment and disaster relief situations.

These points are mutually inclusive. The advantages above combine to make Magenn the most cost-effective wind electrical generation system.
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Reader Comments (14)
 
No image available
December 28, 2005
Sounds verry interesting. I think that is a great idea to have a floating HAWT that can take advantage of winds at heigher altitudes without needing an expensive tower. Also, at 400-1000 feet, it greatly reduces the risk to birds, and can be used durring migration seasons without killing too manny birds.
Comment 1 of 14
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December 28, 2005
If the delivery date doesn't slip into oblivion, this could be a very interesting product. A lot rides though on how the company, and their first few units if and when they materialize, perform. I suppose the second hurdle will be once there are operational units, speculation as to how long they will last up there.
Comment 2 of 14
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December 29, 2005
I would be interested in how they resolved the problems with lightening, atmospheric vs ground electrical potential, and what sort of liability insurance would be required. wouldn,t want one of those falling on one of my neighbors cows.
Comment 3 of 14
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January 11, 2006
This is the best wind generator I have ever seen. I did not notice how big they were saying it was. This could be the next generation of wind power. To think from kite to Zeppelin to the cleanest power source out there on the market
Ah I think the kids would be saying dad I think you're nuts.
Comment 4 of 14
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January 11, 2006
If that aint the coolest gadget yet . A micro kite windmill.
How many people could say go fly a kite and power there lap top all at the same time. Or hey kids you want to charge the solar yard lights.
Comment 5 of 14
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January 12, 2006
A Unike product come accrose in my 30 years in renewable energy sources experece, very much use full for developing countries. Arevolutionary idea in wind technology, Mike Brown served huminity GOD BLESS him.
Comment 6 of 14
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January 14, 2006
Very cool. I'd love to see this one go main stream. I only have one hesitation. Helium is a non renewable resource and in limited supply. Would hot air be feasible? Still, great on a smaller scale.
I'm guessing the radius is still just as important.
And yes, Aerial vs ground potential. Good point.
The biggest win is not having a forest of towers to deal when end of life is reached.
Comment 7 of 14
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February 7, 2006
This is like the expandable satalites lower orbit less line of sight but no lift off cost.
Comment 8 of 14
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February 7, 2006
this year is going to be a flash back to those infamace portrayals of first flight attempts by all who wants to fly.
Great idea thanks, I am sure the applications for this will be enormous.
What are the specs or at least the tandard watt reduction per teather foot?
Comment 9 of 14
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February 8, 2006
I really like the concept of not having to build a tower.It will help the cost of the project.Will look forward to see how it works out for the end user .
Comment 10 of 14
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February 23, 2006
I suppose the boo birds would object if one of these was tethered to a home or summer cottage, but I think it is a great concept that should be tried out in large numbers. It seems that it would be wonderful in any area not served by a power grid. It seems that isolated summer homes could be well served by them, and they could be garaged in the off season.
Comment 11 of 14
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March 8, 2006
I wonder what the FAA will have to say about this. Sounds great.
Comment 12 of 14
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June 12, 2006
This design has the greatest potential of any onshore wind generator that I've seen. Mainly due to the fact that getting higher up into the
sky will produce winds stronger and more consistent - Magenn quotes 50% efficiencies,
which equal offshore efficiencies. Tethered offshore should push the efficiencies beyond 75%, which would be tremendous, especially considering the fact that deployment should be
less expensive in that rugged environment,
both initially and long term.
Comment 13 of 14
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June 12, 2006
"Very cool. I'd love to see this one go main stream. I only have one hesitation. Helium is a non renewable resource and in limited supply. Would hot air be feasible? Still, great on a smaller scale. "
Hot air is nowhere near bouyant enough
to support the power lines and size of the generators and would require a fuel source, etc. etc. Hydrogen should probably be used instead of helium. Forget your misconceptions of the Hindenburg - it flamed out because of the paint used, which basically had the same composition as a highly volatile rocket fuel. Overcoming ignorance, unfortunately , would be hydrogen's greatest
difficulty, in spite of those who want a hydrogen based energy system - oddly confident about a tank of highly compressed hydrogen under their seat but worried about an unmanned ballon overhead.
Comment 14 of 14
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