Micro-wind Turbine Technology for Crowded Cities
The Department of Mechanical Engineering of The University of Hong Kong and Motorwave Limited have jointly developed and launched a new development in micro-wind turbine technology which enables wind turbines to start generating electricity at wind speeds as low as 2 meters per second and to be installed on balconies at home or rooftops of buildings. This technology has been endorsed by environmental groups in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Sea School and WWF Hong Kong will deploy the new micro-wind turbine technology in the coming months. The Friends of the Earth (HK) is also considering carrying out an educational program on wind energy, using the micro-wind turbine technology as an example. The significance of the micro-wind turbine technology is its simplicity and efficiency, allowing energy to be harnessed at wind speeds as low as 2 meters per second. Conventional small wind turbines are designed to have rotor blades, which require large spaces to operate in and need to be located away from populated areas. They start generating power at wind speeds of around 4 meters per second, and require wind speeds of over 7 meters per second in order to be efficient. The average wind speed in most urban areas throughout the world is only 5 meters per second. By using specially designed plastic gearwheels, just 26 cm in diameter, with a small generator, a micro-wind turbine can be arranged in any array of shapes and sizes, up to thousands of square meters. They can be located where conventional small wind turbines would not be allowed. Conventional small wind turbines only work 20-40% of the time due to variations in wind speed, whereas the micro-wind turbines can operate 80% of the time (in both weak and strong wind conditions). The electricity generated by a micro-wind turbine is first transmitted and stored in a battery; and through the battery, the electricity can be used to drive home electrical appliances, for example, lights, LCD monitors and TV sets. (For details of the electrical output of micro-wind turbines, please see Appendix.) The new technology gives residential, commercial and industrial users opportunities not only to cut their energy costs, but also to reduce their carbon emissions indirectly. The cost of the micro-wind turbine system is only 10% - 20% of current small wind turbine system, and can potentially be recouped in less than two years. This means that the general public can now afford to generate renewable energy themselves. For more information, contact: The University of Hong Kong: Dr Dennis Leung, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, at Tel: 852-2859 7911 Dr Michael K.H. Leung, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, at Tel: 852-2859 2628 Mr Cheung Chung Wah, External Relations Office, at Tel: 2859 2600 Motorwave Limited: Mr Lucien Gambarota, Founder and President, at Tel: 852-9032 1935 or at E-mail: [email protected] Mr Douglas Woodring, Vice President, at Tel: 852-9020 3949 or at E-mail: [email protected]
Sector: Renewable Energy Technologies
Country: India
Area of Application: Wind energy sector
Keywords: Micro-wind turbine, wind energy
Advantages: 1. Very cost-effective 2. Operational with even very low wind velocities.
Environmental aspects: Energy efficiency
Development Status: Commercial Prototype
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Technical specifications:
Transfer Terms: Consultancy , Equipment Supply
Target Countries:
Estimated cost (US$):
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Contact Person: APCTT (UNESCAP)
Address: Asian and Pacific Center for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) C-2, Qutab Instituational Area
City: New Delhi
Country: India
Zip/Pin Code: 110016