2y ago

A Scottish company has successfully tested oscillating aerofoils it says may convert wind to electricity at ground level, as cheaply and efficiently as current wind turbines.

www.katricktechnologies.com

Successful urban wind energy prototype — Katrick Technologies

9 comments

Interestingly, they say testing has so far exceeded their expectations, and that they believe the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for this may be comparable to wind turbines. One of existing wind turbine technology's biggest drawbacks is limitations on location. This technology sounds like it would have far fewer problems with that. If it works, it may be able to dramatically broaden the places wind can create electricity.
Pure dead brilliant so it is, but.
The subject matter is well outside my field of expertise, but I thrilled that Scotland is starting to make big gains in renewal energy development. There's some fantastic minds working in the oil and gas industry, and if we can get them to pivot towards green tech, we're in a fantastic position to hammer this forward for everyone's benefit.
Fingers crossed.
I really wish there was more info on the cost of the new design. I know with turbines, cost efficiency is better for larger sizes. I would expect the “Wind Panel” would have similar cost/power scaling or are there other factors which make these cheaper?
What does it sound like though?
- Like a card in a bicycle tire
aerofoils that oscillate independently when exposed to the kinetic energy of wind and these mechanical oscillations are then converted to energy.
Kind of sounds like the same basic mechanism used for wave energy?
Yes great but I am sure it will just cause cancer like any regular ol’ wind turbine. /s
My initial impression of this tech is not so good. Wouldn't it be better higher up
- Something designed for use in the specific air patterns close to the ground would not be better higher up, no. That’s not how that works.
  That’s what big wind turbines are for. And perhaps someday someone will make things designed to harness the high speed winds around tall buildings, but this thing designed to work in smaller gusts at or near ground level is unlikely to be it for a variety of reasons.

9 comments