Comments on: Gamesa now teams up with Catch The Wind http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2009/09/12/gamesa-now-teams-up-with-catch-the-wind/ Trends, happenings and innovations in the clean technology market Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:28:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Cyril R. http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2009/09/12/gamesa-now-teams-up-with-catch-the-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-7068 Cyril R. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:48:55 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1807#comment-7068 Catch the Wind, Whalepower, and ExRo look like at least promising approaches, and likely significant developments over a short timeframe. Combined they may make some serious advancements in wind energy performance and cost reductions possible. But the Earthronics approach doesn't seem all that great. 6000 USD for a turbine that delivers 2000 - 3000 kWh/year isn't very competitive. The average US retail rate is about 10 cents/kWh. So that's 0.10 USD * 2000 - 3000 = 200 to 300 dollars per year. That's a 20 to 30 year simple payback time , way too long even if the system would last that long. This would only make sense in extremely high wind areas with very high average retail rates. FloDesign doesn't look useful either. Reducing the swept area negates any efficiency advantage they can possibly claim, given the fact that large multi MW class three bladed turbines already get pretty close to Betz limit (they get 30 - 50%, max theoretical is about 60%). Reducing the swept area is a stupid strategy for a large wind turbine. Catch the Wind, Whalepower, and ExRo look like at least promising approaches, and likely significant developments over a short timeframe. Combined they may make some serious advancements in wind energy performance and cost reductions possible.

But the Earthronics approach doesn’t seem all that great. 6000 USD for a turbine that delivers 2000 – 3000 kWh/year isn’t very competitive. The average US retail rate is about 10 cents/kWh. So that’s 0.10 USD * 2000 – 3000 = 200 to 300 dollars per year. That’s a 20 to 30 year simple payback time , way too long even if the system would last that long.

This would only make sense in extremely high wind areas with very high average retail rates.

FloDesign doesn’t look useful either. Reducing the swept area negates any efficiency advantage they can possibly claim, given the fact that large multi MW class three bladed turbines already get pretty close to Betz limit (they get 30 – 50%, max theoretical is about 60%). Reducing the swept area is a stupid strategy for a large wind turbine.

]]> By: Elizabeth James http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2009/09/12/gamesa-now-teams-up-with-catch-the-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-7048 Elizabeth James Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:27:33 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1807#comment-7048 Hi Tyler, You have a great blog. I especially liked that post you did on Japan's space-based solar power plant. I am also involved in a new green website, Green Explored: http://www.greenexplored.com. The site is currently in development: we're transitioning from a green energy blog to a green portal where you can find all kinds of information on energy, consumer products, green finance, and ecology tips for the average person. If you get a chance please check us out. I'd also like to know if you're interested in swapping articles, or doing a guest post on our site. We're always looking for great content. We have a strong presence on Twitter and can always do some cross-promotional arrangement. Keep up the great writing! Elizabeth James Hi Tyler,

You have a great blog. I especially liked that post you did on Japan’s space-based solar power plant.

I am also involved in a new green website, Green Explored: http://www.greenexplored.com. The site is currently in development: we’re transitioning from a green energy blog to a green portal where you can find all kinds of information on energy, consumer products, green finance, and ecology tips for the average person.

If you get a chance please check us out. I’d also like to know if you’re interested in swapping articles, or doing a guest post on our site. We’re always looking for great content. We have a strong presence on Twitter and can always do some cross-promotional arrangement.

Keep up the great writing!

Elizabeth James

]]>