Amazing - Maglev Wind Turbine

[ThoughtCriminal]

http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/11/26/super-powered-magnetic-wind-turbine-maglev/

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Magnetic levitation is an extremely efficient system for wind energy. Here’s how it works: the vertically oriented blades of the wind turbine are suspended in the air above the base of the machine, replacing the need for ball bearings. The turbine uses “full-permanent” magnets, not electromagnets — therefore, it does not require electricty to run. The full-permanent magnet system employs neodymium (”rare earth”) magnets and there is no energy loss through friction. This also helps reduce maintenance costs and increases the lifespan of the generator.

Maglev wind turbines have several advantages over conventional wind turbines. For instance, they’re able to use winds with starting speeds as low as 1.5 meters per second (m/s). Also, they could operate in winds exceeding 40 m/s. Currently, the largest conventional wind turbines in the world produce only five megawatts of power. However, one large maglev wind turbine could generate one gigawatt of clean power, enough to supply energy to 750,000 homes. It would also increase generation capacity by 20% over conventional wind turbines and decrease operational costs by 50%. If that isn’t enough, the maglev wind turbines will be operational for about 500 years!

Construction began on the world’s largest production site for maglev wind turbines in central China on November 5, 2007. Zhongke Hengyuan Energy Technology has invested 400 million yuan in building this facility, which will produce maglev wind turbines with capacities ranging from 400 to 5,000 Watts. In the US, Arizona-based MagLev Wind Turbine Technologies will be manufacturing these turbines. Headed by long-time renewable energy researcher Ed Mazur, the company claims that it will be able to deliver clean power for less than one cent per kilowatt hour with this new technology. It also points out that building a single giant maglev wind turbine would reduce construction and maintenance costs and require much less land than hundreds of conventional turbines. The estimated cost of building this colossal structure is $53 million.
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OK - it can power a city - I'm very interested in the residence sized versions.

[MADem]

1. Every few months someone puts up this story. The dates change...

I wish it were true, but you'd think it would be on the nightly news if it were.

[ixion]

2. since when does the nightly news have anything to do with Truth?

they're more about maintaining the status-quo, which is really the anti-truth.

[MADem]

3. I haven't seen one of these yet. No one is covering it. I don't know what the story is here,

but those photoshopped pics accompanying the article do not inspire confidence...

[ixion]

4. fair enough... the theory sounds plausible, though

I guess we'll have to wait and see...

[OKIsItJustMe]

5. This has been covered here before

It is not real at this time.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/07/colossal_magnet.php

Colossal Magnetic Levitation Wind Turbine Proposed

by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07.27.07

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http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070726005081&newsLang=en

July 26, 2007 07:00 AM Eastern Time

Maglev Wind Turbine Technologies to Start Operations

SIERRA VISTA, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today's announcement marks the culmination of years of research and work into the development of Maglev technology perfected by Mr. Ed Mazur for the specific purpose of providing less expensive, cleaner energy for America.

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“We thank everyone who supports a diversified renewable energy program. Unlike any other form of renewable energy, wind energy has the greatest potential for energy independence,” explains Ed Mazur in response to his newly launched wind turbine power generating device.

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With one Maglev Wind Turbine using less than 100 acres to generate the same amount of electricity that it takes more than 500 wind mills using tens of thousands of acres, it is of no surprise that interest in the Maglev Company has been so outstanding.

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The Maglev Wind Turbine will be the largest and most efficient wind turbine ever constructed.

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http://got2begreen.com/maglevs-wind-turbine-is-real/

MagLev’s Wind Turbine Is Real

Posted By Susan Suarez On November 15, 2007 @ 3:06 am

MagLev’s wind turbine concept, is no longer just that. It has entered production, possibly being the most revolutionary for wind energy.

Currently the largest wind turbines in the world only produce 5 megawatts of power, but this massive wind turbine is expected to generate one full gigawatt of clean power - enough energy to supply to 750,000 homes. MagLev Wind Turbine Technologies, an Arizona-based company, claims that it will deliver clean power for less than one cent per kilowatt hour and create energy even at low speeds of 3mph.

Amazingly, this wind technology boosts generation capacity by as much as 20% over traditional wind turbines and decreasing operational costs by 50%.

It’s estimated the colossal structure would occupy 100 acres and be several hundred meters high. Although the building will be expensive to build ($53 million), the cost savings of building one huge turbine reduces the cost of construction and maintenance for investors to recoup loses within a year.

http://www.triplepundit.com/pages/maglev-wind-turbine-002744.php

MagLev wind turbines, the next generation of wind turbines is capable of generating power from wind speeds as low as 1.5 m/s and reported to operate in winds reaching 40 m/s. This large wind turbine from maglev industries will also increase generation capacity by 20% at the same time decreasing operational costs by 50% over the traditional wind turbine. Maglev also claims that this particular turbine will be operational for 500 years, a staggering claim.

The MagLev wind turbine was first unveiled at the Wind Power Asia exhibition in Beijing. The unique operating principle behind this design is through magnetic levitation. Magnetic levitation is supposedly an extremely efficient system for wind energy. The vertically oriented blades of the wind turbine are suspended in the air replacing any need for ball bearings. The turbine operates via “full-permanent” magnets. electromagnets eliminating the need for electricity to run the machine. These full-permanent magnets consist of neodymium magnets of the rare earth metals which lose no energy through friction. This combination of magnetic components and reduction of moving parts should reduce maintenance costs and increase the life of the turbine.

Maglev wind turbines have advantages and some claim disadvantages over conventional wind turbines. The first thing worth mentioning next to the wide range of operating wind speeds is the manufacturer claims that one MagLev could generate one gigawatt of power compared to the miniscule 5 megawatts of power that conventional turbines are capable of producing. One turbine could provide power for as many as 750,000 homes!

Critics dispute many of these claims, instead, believing that this vertical axis wind turbine has some serious design flaws. Even suggesting that it will perform far below the fore mentioned figures. The opposing experts believe that it has too many blades leaving the turbine to look "solid" to the wind as it speeds up in strong winds. Stators are also lacking in the design to direct the flow more effectively onto the blades. There are many other flaws that leave industry experts to wonder about this innovative concept and its true capacity but that is open to debate for the time being.

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[ConcernedCanuk]

6. interesting concept . hmm - and what if the upright fins were solar panels?

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and magnetic levitation works

otherwise your hard-drive would fly right out of your computer. There are two opposing magnets in your hard drive to allow it to revolve at 5 - 10,000 rpms with only a wee bearing in the middle

Take them magnets out, and your hard drive will fly apart in no time.