The WindbeltThe WindbeltMicro-Scaled Wind Power

Sarah FantoDecember 8, 2010

Early Wind TurbinesEarly Wind Turbines

Wind Turbine BasicsThe wind causes the

turbine blades to spin.Gears transfer

rotation from the blades to the generator

The rotational motion in the generator creates electricity.

Inefficiencies Energy loss due to friction in the gearsTurbine blades also move against the

wind

Micro-Wind EnergyGenerating micro-energy

from wind involves smaller forms of rotating turbines

friction in the gears is the largest form of energy loss in the small-scale wind turbine

the friction is often greater than the energy produced

Micro-Wind TurbinesMicro-wind turbines for domestic electricity could create

more carbon dioxide during manufacture, installation, and maintenance than the micro-wind turbines save during their lifetime.

Turbines in less windy urban areas are unlikely to ever payback their carbon costs

Currently small-scale rotary generators can produce 5mW of power at 12 volts in 10 mph winds

They can retail for thousands of dollars

The first turbine-less wind generator

Anatomy of a WindbeltAnatomy of a WindbeltFrameBeltMagnetsWire Coils

Aeroelastic FlutterAeroelastic Flutter A self-starting aeroelastic phenomenon, with positive

feedback, where aerodynamic forces aerodynamic forces couple with a structure’s natural mode of vibrationnatural mode of vibration to produce a rapid periodic motionperiodic motion and large amplitudeslarge amplitudes. This aeroelastic happening can produce rapid failure in structures and in many cases needs to be reduced or eliminated.

Power GenerationPower Generation

www.humdingerwind.com/windbelt.htmlwww.humdingerwind.com/windbelt.html

Moving magnets in wire coilsElectromagnetic induction

Basic magnet-coil configuration

Micro-WindbeltMicro-Windbelt

Power Output

3.5 m/s 0.2 mW

5.5 m/s 2.0 mW

7.5 m/s 5.0 mW

The microWindbelts are small: 13 cm x 3 cm x 2.5 cm

Capable of powering wireless sensors and most battery powered wireless application in fluid flow

Applications for MicroWindbeltApplications for MicroWindbelt

Large-Scale Applications: Large-Scale Applications: Windcell PanelsWindcell Panels

Panels are made up of 20 1m long windbelts in a 1m x 1m frame

The panels target energy costs of $0.05 per kWh in average windspeeds of 6m/s and a monthly energy of 7.2 kWh

Wind panels have an off-the-line cost of around $100

Applications for Windcell Panels

Advantages of a Windbelt Advantages of a Windbelt Cheap to produce, install, and maintainEasily installed and maintainedWork art low wind speedsRuggedLightweight/portable

ApplicationsApplicationsInstalled in the homeRemote applications

Charging batteriesHigh-efficiency LEDsRadiosWalkie-talkies

Third-world applicationsOne laptop per childMilitary applications

For More Information...For More Information...http://www.humdingerwind.com

http://www.worldchanging.com/archives//010063.htmlhttp://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/

green-science/wind-power1.htmhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/

wind_how.html