Designers in China have launched the first wind turbine levitating in the world of permanent magnetic levitation (Maglev) in the Wind Power Asia Exhibition 2006.
Considered a key step in the evolution of global wind power technology and a notable advance in independent intellectual property rights in China. The generator was jointly developed by the Institute of Energy Research of Guangzhou in the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangzhou Hengyuan Energy Science & Zhongke Technology Co., Ltd.
Future Magnetic Levitation Wind Turbine
The Maglev generator is to increase the capacity of wind power generation by 20% over conventional wind turbines for homes. This would reduce operating expenses of wind farms, up to half, keeping the overall cost of wind energy growth at 0.4 yuan (5 U.S. cents), according Guokun Li, the developer of the new scientific technology.
In addition, the Maglev is able to utilize winds with starting speeds as low as 1.5 meters per second (m / s). When compared with the operating hours of existing wind turbines, new technology could add another 1,000 annual hours of operation of wind farms in areas with an average wind speed of 3 m / s.
Xinhua News reports that more than 70 million households in China have no access to electricity, most of them live in areas outside the networks of power. The dispersed nature of rural localities makes it difficult to network based on the power supply to these areas. The use of complete generator permanently Maglev could fill the power vacuum in those sites through the use of low-speed wind resources that were previously untapped.
With an increasing number of Chinese and international investors who wish to join a booming global market for wind energy, technology can create new opportunities in the areas of the world where there could be further exploited, such as mountainous regions, islands, observatories transfer stations and television.
In addition, the Maglev generator will be able to provide lighting along highways by utilizing the airflow generated by passing vehicles, Xinhua said.
The global market for wind energy has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with Germany, Spain and the United States as the ranking of the best producers in 2005. The energy production of wind turbines is increasing rapidly due to increasing wind power capacity. Worldwide sales of wind power equipment reached $ 10 million in 2004 and is estimated to reach 49 billion U.S. dollars per year in 2012, reports Worldwatch researcher Janet Sawin in Vital Signs 2005.
