Wind lens
Encyclopedia
A Wind lens is a modification made to a wind turbine
to make it a more efficient way to capture wind energy. The modification is a ring structure called a brim or wind lens which surrounds the blades, diverting air away from the exhaust outflow behind the blades. The turbulence created as a result of the new configuration creates a low pressure zone behind the turbine, causing greater wind to pass through the turbine, and this, in turn, increases blade rotation and energy output. Wind lenses are being researched by the Wind Engineering Section of Kyushu University
in Japan
.
Their website claims:
Numerous news outlets have commented on the implications of this invention, and test trials are currently under way. One report suggests the modification results in twice or three times as much power as conventional wind turbines.
Wind turbine
A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy. If the mechanical energy is used to produce electricity, the device may be called a wind generator or wind charger. If the mechanical energy is used to drive machinery, such as for grinding grain or...
to make it a more efficient way to capture wind energy. The modification is a ring structure called a brim or wind lens which surrounds the blades, diverting air away from the exhaust outflow behind the blades. The turbulence created as a result of the new configuration creates a low pressure zone behind the turbine, causing greater wind to pass through the turbine, and this, in turn, increases blade rotation and energy output. Wind lenses are being researched by the Wind Engineering Section of Kyushu University
Kyushu University
Kyushu University is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. It can be seen in the several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:The university has been ranked 8th in 2010 and 2009 in the ranking "Truly Strong Universities" by Toyo Keizai...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Their website claims:
Wind power is proportional to the wind speed cubed. If we can increase the wind speed with some mechanism by utilizing the fluid dynamic nature around a structure, namely if we can capture and concentrate the wind energy locally, the output power of a wind turbine can be increased substantially. At wind energy section of Kyushu University, a new efficient wind power turbine system has been developed. This system has a diffuser shroud at the circumference of its rotor to embody the wind energy concentration. The diffuser shroud is now named "Wind lens". To apply the wind-lens structure to a larger size turbine, we have developed a compact collection-acceleration device. There are several ongoing projects in which the wind-lens turbines are involved.
Numerous news outlets have commented on the implications of this invention, and test trials are currently under way. One report suggests the modification results in twice or three times as much power as conventional wind turbines.