April Fowell, Tech Times
21 November 2022
Did you say bladeless wind turbine? How can that be? Aeromine Technologies has recently developed a bladeless wind energy solution, as reported by Interesting Engineering.
Did you say bladeless wind turbine? How can that be? Aeromine Technologies has recently developed a bladeless wind energy solution, as reported by Interesting Engineering.
The wind energy solution can be connected to existing solar energy systems and those that are in buildings. Hence, it's an excellent solution for commercial property owners to help meet the growing demand for renewable energy on-site.
What makes the technology stand out is its lack of blade-but what are its benefits? For one, it will not make any sound. Its design features, in which the propeller is inside a duct, add up to its low-noise design concept. In fact, when you stand on the roof and lean your ear against it, you won't hear anything or feel any vibration.
Second, it's more friendly to wildlife because without the blade. It won't hurt or kill birds. It captures and amplifies wind power through aerodynamics similar to racing car airfoils.
How It Works
Aeromine's bladeless wind technology has two separate flow streams. The external airfoils that face the wind generate a low-pressure potential that drives an internal flow stream from a separate inlet via an internal propeller that extracts energy and ejects the residual fluid into the free stream.
Its internal propeller is not a wind turbine; instead, it's a fan that operates in reverse that is driven by the differential pressure and the flow rate originating in the differential pressure. Overall, this solution is based on the unique principles of Aeromine.
Compared to traditional wind turbines, this one from Aeromine doesn't move. In fact, it's more like a building than a wind turbine. Hence, when it comes to its longevity, it will definitely stand there for a pretty long time. There is no lifespan limitation as the mechanical moving parts are inside the duct, which is protected from outdoor elements. In addition, these components are loaded lightly unlike other rooftop equipment.
The Future of the Technology
Aeromine stated that their technology could be made in any size and created functional prototypes as small as a few inches high. They plan to customize Aeromine to other markets using other materials, operating principles, and other design variants.
The first pilot program was deployed in Wyandotte, MI, in partnership with BASF. They have others underway.
The Demand for Wind Energy
The need for renewable energy is growing, but wind energy has to be monitored because it can also cause damage. For commercial property owners who want to help provide a cleaner environment, bladeless wind technology may be just what they are looking for.
While Aeromine's bladeless wind energy solution is a sustainable alternative to traditional wind turbines, there are still some issues that need to be sorted out before it can be commercially available-mainly its operating costs. But the technology has tremendous potential and is most likely the future wave.
