Maglev Wind Turbine Technologies Launched (vision of 1GW machines generating at < $0.01 per kWh)

North American Windpower ^ | 7/27/2007

[MD_Willington_1976]

Looks like a giant lampshade...

so where do they get the mag lev from, does it power itself?

most mag lev systems require external power to power the electromagnets...

[AmericaUnited]

Ok, I want to buy a 10KW unit to stick on my roof.

[MD_Willington_1976]

forgot to add

http://www.windside.com/products.html

[AmericaUnited]

If they turned this design on it’s side, then 1000’s of hamsters could power it during those windless days...

[Leisler]

Wind sucks. You still need the same sized oil/coal/nuclar power plants, because people expect and need power 24/7, not just when it is windy. So, in effect you have to have two power plants, one of which may or may not be working and for unknown amount of time. Large modern power grids do not store electricity and the generating source has to be working at all times. Something wind power can not provide.

[wastedyears]

If by hamsters you mean half of Congress and half the Senate, then yes, many hamsters.

[PAR35]

Here are a couple of articles that might be of use to you:

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3aa5843c228c.htm
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1569737/posts

[Red Boots]

Wind sucks. You still need the same sized oil/coal/nuclar power plants, because people expect and need power 24/7, not just when it is windy. So, in effect you have to have two power plants, one of which may or may not be working and for unknown amount of time. Large modern power grids do not store electricity and the generating source has to be working at all times. Something wind power can not provide

I've read this too. That adding a significant amount of wind power to the grid actually increases CO2 emmissions since the natural gas fired plants must be ready all the time to smooth out the erratic nature of wind power. That means they are run in a way less efficient manner.

[chimera]

What’s it’s output when the wind speed is 0 mph, which it is quite often around here? I know from experience that managing variable output generating sources in a grid-based distribution system is a real nightmare. Better to have a few, intense, high-capacity, high availability generating assets than a lot of little ones that vary in output depending on environmental conditions.

[lonerepubinma]

How do they clutch in down in extreme winds ?

[Moonman62]

Probably a scam looking for suckers.

[VOA]

bump

[VOA]

The drum design is the kind of thing a home tinkerer could build. Some do.

I think I spotted one a few nights ago when ABC NightLine interviewed
actor Ed Begley, Jr. and his neighbor Bill Nye (sp?) "The Science Guy".

I'm uncertain if it was on the roof of Begley's or Nye's home.

[spokeshave]

But...but...using a MAGNETIC levitation device affects the gravity flux causing cosmic warming and resulting increase in black hole collapse so we are all going to die.

[theBuckwheat]

Now post the same bucolic depiction with a large coal-fired power plant and plume of smoke and fly ash wafting lazily way in the gentle breeze. Don’t forget to add the mile long unit train of coal cars stretching over the horizon from the distant, open pit mine. Which is less ugly?

[mbraynard]

Your comments are stupid. The design is critical to the energy generation. what looks better - one of these in a small area or a regular windmill taking up 640 times larger area? And is it less ugly than a oil or coal powered plant?

Good lord.

[Spiff]

According to the Sierra Vista, Ariz.-headquartered company

I live in Sierra Vista and I've never heard of this company, let alone seen any of the wind turbines around here. Hmmmmm.....

[mbraynard]

There are numerous ways to bank energy.

[VOA]

How do they clutch in down in extreme winds ?

Good question.
My NON-engineer guess would be:
Maybe either move the levitating magnets, or interfere with them via
external magnets?

But this sort of thing is better left to better minds than mine!
Like that of my smarter, younger, electrical engineer cousin
(and PE, "professional engineer", that is humble enough to not
remind of his estimable abilities as an engineer, Thank G-d!)

[Martins kid]

As our ancestors learned 230 years ago Independence is a beautiful thing. These look a heck of a lot better than ugly Islamofacists, or Hugo Chavez !!!!