Maglev Wind Turbine Technologies Launched (vision of 1GW machines generating at < $0.01 per kWh)

North American Windpower ^ | 7/27/2007

[Uncledave]

Maglev Wind Turbine Technologies (MWTT), a developer and manufacturer of magnetically levitated commercial wind turbines, has officially begun operations.

According to the Sierra Vista, Ariz.-headquartered company, with the use of magnetic levitation turbine technology, the wind turbine floats on a magnetic cushion and incorporates a linear synchronous motor. MWTT says that because the lack of friction allows for increased wind capture, users can generate electricity for less than $0.01 per kWh.

The company is headed by Ed Mazur, a researcher of variable renewable energy sources since 1981 and inventor of the magnetic levitation wind turbine.

For more information on the product, visit magturbine.com

[Uncledave]

On the drawing board alert!!

[Uncledave]

Executive Summary Background: Wind power is a proven means of generating electricity. However, today’s wind mill type generators are highly inefficient, expensive, high maintenance, hazardous to wildlife and take up too much land. The design of the wind mill has evolved into the 21st century. However, the science is as archaic as their 16th century Dutch counterparts. If it were not for government subsidies and tax credits of all types, it would take a half century to turn a real profit. The solution to the equation is the total transfer of kinetic energy produced by the wind with out friction.  All horizontal axis wind mills use less than 1% of the available wind energy. Picture a maritime model as an example:   sailing vessels would never leave the wharf if the rigging were replaced with a large wind mills secured to the deck.  Initially, the wind must be captured not deflected to produce maximum power. Magnetic Levitation or Maglev is the most efficient means of transferring kinetic energy from wind power to generate electricity.  The wind turbine floats on a magnetic cushion with the aid of a linear synchronous motor (LSM).  This technology eliminates all friction and delivers maximum wind energy directly to the power generators.  Since the Maglev wind turbine blades capture all of the wind, it is possible to generate electricity for less than one cent per kilowatt hour. Maglev for transportation was invented in 1934 by Hermann Kemper.  He was awarded DRP 643316.  Today, Maglev trains operate in Germany, China and Japan.  Maglev trains currently hold many land speed records and are most noted for energy efficiency, on time performance and low maintenance.  The Maglev platform is highly versatile. The Chinese have already begun to integrate magnetic bearings into their wind power technology.  The reverse of the turbine blades are also designed to incorporate an O-LED advertising platform. Key Asset The Maglev Wind Turbine for commercial energy production was invented by Ed Mazur of MAGLEV WIND TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES in 2004. It is designed to generate electricity from wind power with a new standard of efficiency. Market Size It is currently estimated that the global electrical power generation market is a multi-trillion dollar industry. Maglev Wind Turbines will make wind power highly profitable. Scientific Consensus The earth is currently in a warming period in which the weather conditions are becoming more volatile.  Wind velocity is expected to increase significantly over the next 20 years. Science Centers Science and educational centers will be established at designated Maglev Wind Turbine Facilities to promote the benefits of clean electrical energy. Floating on Air Once the wind is captured, it then must be efficiently converted into power. Conventional wind mills continue to rely on obsolete mechanical components such as roller bearings, transmissions and generators which absorb much of the potential power because of friction. These high maintenance systems are expensive and highly sensitive to extreme temperature fluctuation. MAGLEV systems are also used in sophisticated ship elevators, amusement park rides such as the people mover in Disney World, aircraft carrier catapults and a variety of other conveyance applications. The MAGLEV platform is highly versatile. Chinese Ingenuity MAGNETIC bearings have already been introduced into conventional wind mills in China. THE SHANGHAI DAILY reports a Technological Breakthrough in friction management with the next generation of wind mills. Replacing roller bearings with magnetic bearings, the Chinese claim to have increased the efficiency of their wind mills by 20%. Go for a Maglev Train Ride Upgrade with MLWTH Technology Wind Farmers have been considering various alternatives of operating existing wind farms and the construction of new wind farms because of the lack of profitability. From resulting meetings and in depth discussions, resulting wind farm research and analysis have led to the unanimous conclusion by existing wind farmers to approve upgrading existing wind farms. MAGLEV WIND TURBINE HOLDINGS (MLWTH) intends to replace all existing obsolete wind mills with the new industry standard MAGLEV wind turbines. The new MAGLEV power plants will produce approximately 1GWh each. The electricity generated will reduce local conventional power demand. The excess power will be sold off to local utilities. The environmental and community impact will be considerably less than any conventional wind farm based on the fact that MAGLEV wind turbines will reclaim great sections of land from obsolete wind farms. This greatly improved wind project successfully demonstrates that renewable energy plants can be sited responsibly and sized appropriately within the environment they are meant to protect. This project reaffirms our commitment to renewable energy, reduces our dependency on fossil fueled energy and reduces energy costs while balancing the environmental and community impact. Scaling down the land area for projects only makes economic sense because MAGLEV wind turbines utilize existing infrastructure at the wind farm sites. New sites would require only one MAGLEV wind turbine in order to justify the increased infrastructure costs. MLWTH further believes that installing only one new unit minimizes the impact to the environment while still providing a significant amount of renewable energy to its customers.

The Competitive Advantages of the MAGLEV WIND TURBINE 1)      Uses all wind energy 2)      Cost 50-75% less to build 3)      Requires less time to build 4)      Standardized engineering to ease          construction and duplication 5)      Generate more electricity for less 6)      Rated at 1gW per unit* 7)      Require less maintenance 8)      Command substantial premium at          resale 9)      Major components at ground level 10)    Permanent crane 11)    Helicopter pad 12)    Permanent Weather station 13)    Longer life span (500 years  structure,          100  years LSM/LSG, 50  years turbine          blades 14)    No decommissioning 15)    Operates in low and high speed wind 16)    operates in wind speeds exceeding          40m/sec. (80mph) 17)    One year (ROI) 18)    Greater profit potential 19)    100% year over year growth for 10          years possible 20)    500% margins possible for 5 years 21)    Require considerably less land 22)    Will not harm animal life 23)    Reduce green house gasses 24)    Reduce the use of fossil fuels and          pollution 25)    Reduce cancer causing carcinogens          by 50% in 10 years 26)    No toxic spills 27)    Create energy independence 28)    Create enterprise zones 29)    Create new jobs 30 )   Create new tax base 31)    Establish science and learning centers           at sites 32)    Conserve natural resources 33)    Insure national security *…rated at maximum wind velocity Magnetic Levitation or Maglev is the most efficient means of transferring kinetic energy from wind power to generate electricity. The wind turbine floats on a magnetic cushion with the aid of a linear synchronous motor (LSM). This technology eliminates all friction and delivers maximum wind energy directly to the LSM. Since the Maglev wind turbine blades capture all the wind, it is possible to generate electricity for less than one cent per kilowatt hour. Today MAGLEV trains operate in Germany, China and Japan. MAGLEV trains currently hold many land speed records and are most noted for energy efficiency, on time performance and low maintenance. MAGLEV systems are also used in sophisticated ship elevators, amusement park rides, aircraft carrier catapults and a variety of other conveyance applications. The MAGLEV platform is highly versatile.

	Maglev Wind Turbine Technologies, Inc. 2160 E. Fry Blvd., Suite 283, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 ©2007 Maglev Wind Turbine Technologies, Inc.. All rights reserved.

[Uncledave]

Renewable Energy Ping

Please Freep Mail me if you'd like on/off

[finnman69]

I dont think that rendering is the way to sell this technology. That thing is friggin ugly. The windmill fields look better.

[RightWhale]

The drum design is the kind of thing a home tinkerer could build. Some do. There is one of these up the road a ways. Some oil drums cut in half and welded on a pole. Round and round it goes, year after year.

[Uncledave]

I dont think that rendering is the way to sell this technology. That thing is friggin ugly. The windmill fields look better.

Set against the city it does look dumb. Here's one out in the country. Looks like a big lampshade, but if it can deliver the power I love it.

[poobear]

” That thing is friggin ugly. The windmill fields look better.”

While I’ll agree, it’s still not as ugly as an oil rich army of Jihadists from the ME.

[wastedyears]

Wouldn’t the weight help with friction?

[Abathar]

Huh? Rather look at one big one than a butt-load of little ones, probably a lot quieter too.

[RightWhale]

The wind direction tends to switch around this way and that. So long as the air moves it doesn’t matter how it swirls. This is one of the few fan designs that is moderately attractive, and if they could add a chimney they could get some motion no matter what.

[finnman69]

That’s much better. Or show this is an ocean setting. The developer would be well advised to delete the image of the urban turbine. It will scare the crap out of people and would NEVER be accepted into a city.

now if they created a ‘hat’ version that could go on top of skyscrapers, that’s a different story.

[RightWhale]

a ‘hat’ version that could go on top of skyscrapers

Could be built in to any ranch house on the prairie so you wouldn't even notice it was there.

[wastedyears]

I also remember the MagLev being a train powered by the opposite poles of a magnet.

[finnman69]

that too

[Kevmo]

Thanks for the ping.

[o_zarkman44]

I like this idea!
Put me on the list please!

[Red Boots]

25) Reduce cancer causing carcinogens by 50% in 10 years

A vague, sensationalist, statement like this in their promo literature sure doesn't fill me with confidence in the validity of their scientific claims.

[r9etb]

Cute picture, but it’s misleading. The problem with the “vertical rotor” design is that it is low to the ground — there will be boundary layer and turbulence effects that are not uniform across the wetted surface of the rotors. A really large installation would have to overcome serious structural problems, as would the bearing design.

[Publius6961]

A vague, sensationalist, statement like this in their promo literature sure doesn't fill me with confidence in the validity of their scientific claims.

I agree.
Catering to the neurotic nut-cases is a great way to turn off the very people who can understand and appreciate the technology.

[TChris]

Does the inventor subtract the energy requirements for the magnetic levitation from the output of the turbine? Is it still $0.01/kWh efficient on the net?

[MD_Willington_1976]

Looks like a giant lampshade...

so where do they get the mag lev from, does it power itself?

most mag lev systems require external power to power the electromagnets...

[AmericaUnited]

Ok, I want to buy a 10KW unit to stick on my roof.

[MD_Willington_1976]

forgot to add

http://www.windside.com/products.html

[AmericaUnited]

If they turned this design on it’s side, then 1000’s of hamsters could power it during those windless days...

[Leisler]

Wind sucks. You still need the same sized oil/coal/nuclar power plants, because people expect and need power 24/7, not just when it is windy. So, in effect you have to have two power plants, one of which may or may not be working and for unknown amount of time. Large modern power grids do not store electricity and the generating source has to be working at all times. Something wind power can not provide.

[wastedyears]

If by hamsters you mean half of Congress and half the Senate, then yes, many hamsters.

[PAR35]

Here are a couple of articles that might be of use to you:

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3aa5843c228c.htm
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1569737/posts

[Red Boots]

Wind sucks. You still need the same sized oil/coal/nuclar power plants, because people expect and need power 24/7, not just when it is windy. So, in effect you have to have two power plants, one of which may or may not be working and for unknown amount of time. Large modern power grids do not store electricity and the generating source has to be working at all times. Something wind power can not provide

I've read this too. That adding a significant amount of wind power to the grid actually increases CO2 emmissions since the natural gas fired plants must be ready all the time to smooth out the erratic nature of wind power. That means they are run in a way less efficient manner.

[chimera]

What’s it’s output when the wind speed is 0 mph, which it is quite often around here? I know from experience that managing variable output generating sources in a grid-based distribution system is a real nightmare. Better to have a few, intense, high-capacity, high availability generating assets than a lot of little ones that vary in output depending on environmental conditions.

[lonerepubinma]

How do they clutch in down in extreme winds ?

[Moonman62]

Probably a scam looking for suckers.

[VOA]

bump

[VOA]

The drum design is the kind of thing a home tinkerer could build. Some do.

I think I spotted one a few nights ago when ABC NightLine interviewed
actor Ed Begley, Jr. and his neighbor Bill Nye (sp?) "The Science Guy".

I'm uncertain if it was on the roof of Begley's or Nye's home.

[spokeshave]

But...but...using a MAGNETIC levitation device affects the gravity flux causing cosmic warming and resulting increase in black hole collapse so we are all going to die.

[theBuckwheat]

Now post the same bucolic depiction with a large coal-fired power plant and plume of smoke and fly ash wafting lazily way in the gentle breeze. Don’t forget to add the mile long unit train of coal cars stretching over the horizon from the distant, open pit mine. Which is less ugly?

[mbraynard]

Your comments are stupid. The design is critical to the energy generation. what looks better - one of these in a small area or a regular windmill taking up 640 times larger area? And is it less ugly than a oil or coal powered plant?

Good lord.

[Spiff]

According to the Sierra Vista, Ariz.-headquartered company

I live in Sierra Vista and I've never heard of this company, let alone seen any of the wind turbines around here. Hmmmmm.....

[mbraynard]

There are numerous ways to bank energy.

[VOA]

How do they clutch in down in extreme winds ?

Good question.
My NON-engineer guess would be:
Maybe either move the levitating magnets, or interfere with them via
external magnets?

But this sort of thing is better left to better minds than mine!
Like that of my smarter, younger, electrical engineer cousin
(and PE, "professional engineer", that is humble enough to not
remind of his estimable abilities as an engineer, Thank G-d!)

[Martins kid]

As our ancestors learned 230 years ago Independence is a beautiful thing. These look a heck of a lot better than ugly Islamofacists, or Hugo Chavez !!!!

[spokeshave]

Capstone Turbine makes magnetically levitated turbo electric generators. Turbine and generator on same shaft, runs on most fuels, natural gas, methane, diesel, etc.

[Leisler]

So, first we have the must have full supply old style system.

Then we have to have the may or may not, some/little/lot wind system

And also some sort of huge ‘bank’ system.

And this is going to lower energy costs exactly how?

[spokeshave]

Capstone Turbine makes magnetically levitated turbo electric generators. Turbine and generator on same shaft, runs on most fuels, natural gas, methane, diesel, etc.

[VOA]

I live in Sierra Vista and I've never heard of this company, let alone
seen any of the wind turbines around here. Hmmmmm.....

Either they are dealing in "puffery".
Or they have kept their product "in the dark" until now.

With a little due diligence (seeing how the headquaters are in obstensibly
in your locale)...
you could be on your way to a modest fortune by either buying...
OR SHORTING...MWTT.

[Reeses]

a significant amount of wind power to the grid actually increases CO2 emmissions

Extracting 1 gigawatts of energy per hour out of the wind will have much more warming effect on the climate than the CO2 it offsets. Most of the greenhouse heat reflection effect occurs within 30 feet of ground level.

[N3WBI3]

Large modern power grids do not store electricity and the generating source has to be working at all times. Something wind power can not provide.

And yet power plats go off line all the time for maintenance without brown outs....

[Spiff]

This is the address that the company's website lists:

Maglev Wind Turbine Technologies, Inc.
2160 E. Fry Blvd., Suite 283, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

This address is for "The UPS Store" which has a number of post office boxes as well package receiving. They allow you to use "Suite 283" if that number is assigned to your box and your account there.

[appeal2]

The maximum wind the grid can take is 12% of the total electrical production, more than that will make it impossible to balance the grid. Wind production is too variable. If there were superconducting batteries to soak the excess and allow evening out of the wind production that number could go up dramatically, but so would the expense, currently prohibitive.

I would like to see a whole farm of these babies outside the Kennedy Compound in Cape Cod. That would definitely set those hypocrites off.

[Martins kid]

Effecient design is most important, of course. but having it look acceptable to those who can see it from their home or on the way to work will generate quicker acceptance. Sadly, some people cannot see beyond their personal “view” - (For example - The Kennedys fighting windmills being constucted in an obvious place near Cape Cod because it would mess up their personal view.) I do think that people who currently live downwind of a coal plant would prefer one of these turbines. Environmentalists complain about bird kill with windmills - but that problem might be solved by engineering with this design.

[Fresh Wind]

Maglev for transportation was invented in 1934 by Hermann Kemper.

Not true. A Frenchman living in the US, Emile Bachelet, demonstrated a working model of a maglev rail system in 1914.