Wind power, but efficient
A revolutionary alternative to mini wind powered generators has been introduced in this year’s Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Conference. Ecogeek.org has reported on the “wind belt”, which works differently to conventional turbine wind-powered generator. Instead of a turbine, the new approach consists of a birdge made out of a taut kite fabric which vibrates in the wind. A magnet attached to the end of the fabric then generates power as it moves up and down with the vibrations. This very simple generator can be built at only a fraction of the cost of a conventional turbine generator, and in a 10mph wind is up to 30 times more efficient!
Watch the video demonstration.
“The Wind Belt is a new approach to wind energy production and an innovative approach that could radically change the cost curve downwards, especially within the developing world and in off-grid environments.
Working in Haiti, Shawn Frayne, a 28-year-old inventor based in Mountain View, Calif., saw the need for small-scale wind power to juice LED lamps and radios in the homes of the poor. Conventional wind turbines don’t scale down well—there’s too much friction in the gearbox and other components. “With rotary power, there’s nothing out there that generates under 50 watts,” Frayne says. “
UPDATE: The inventor has started up a company, Humdinger Wind, as reported by EcoGeek.