EKKO

Gigantic, maglev wind turbines could be the answer to the world’s energy problems.

An Arizona-based company, called Maglev Wind Turbine Technologies, is proposing a vertical axis wind turbine that uses permanent magnets to levitate rotating components.

At the 2007 Wind Power Asia Exhibition in Beijing, a group of Chinese scientists were the first ones to demonstrate a maglev wind turbine. Scientists from Guangzhou Energy Research Institute and Guangzhou Zhongke Hengyuan Energy Science & Technology say that their design was up to 20% more efficient than a normal turbine and can utilize wind speeds as low as 1.5 meters per second.

Vertical-axis wind turbines have advantages. The main benefit is that the turbine does not have to face into the wind, and the generator and gearbox can be placed on the ground. The big advantage of a maglev turbine is that it reduces maintenance costs, and increases the lifespan of the generator.

The Maglev Wind Turbine Technologies design can generate one gigawatt of power - enough to power 750,000 homes.