Environmental Engineering Reference
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FIGURE 5.19 Spiral Magnus wind turbine (11.5 m diameter, 12 kW). Model shows spiral (helix fins) on cyl-
inders. (Photos: Left, MECARO, Japan; right, Charlie Dou. With permission.)
The most different concept is the electrofluid unit, which has no moving mechanical parts.
The wind carries the moving charge to generate electricity for a load. A somewhat similar
device consists of a balloon covered with a thin conductive layer. Static electricity generated
by wind friction would be conducted through a cable to the surface [7]. Oscillations of piezo-
electric polymers driven by the wind would also make a unique type of wind turbine. One idea
was to place such devices along highways to use the turbulent wind generated by passing trucks
and cars.
The Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), later renamed NREL, was the lead agency in inno-
vative concepts (Table 5.2), and reports on the projects funded by SERI are available in conference
TABLE 5.2
Solar Energy Research Institute, Innovative Wind Program
Project
Contract
Innovative wind turbines (VAWT)
West Virginia University
Tornado type wind energy system
Grumman Aerospace
Diffuser-augmented wind turbine
Grumman Aerospace
Wind/electric power-charged aerosol
Marks Polarized
Electrofluid dynamic wind generator
University of Dayton
Energy from humid air
South Dakota School, M&T
Madras rotor power plant, phase I
University of Dayton
Vortex augmenters
Polytechnic Institute, New York
Yawing wind turbine, blade cyclic pitch
Washington University, St. Louis
Oscillating vane
United Technologies
Dynamic inducer
AeroViroment
 
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