Let’s compare traditional wind turbines with vertical-axis solar-wind turbines.
| Three-blade horizontal axis wind turbines (traditional) | Vertical-axis solar-wind turbine |
Time and ease of operation |
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| Used in the production of parts requiring constant monitoring, repair, replacement of worn parts, periodic preventive maintenance and preservation, etc.)
Useful life, declared by the manufacturers – 15-50 years. |
The rotor (rotating top part) is magnetically suspended, so there are no friction parts that require lubrication, preventive maintenance, replacement, etc.
The generator of the turbine operates on the principle of non-contact interaction of the magnetic field and coils. The service life of the installation is limited only by materials life and magnets; it’s more than 100 years. |
Starting the turbine (Break loose) |
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| When the wind speed is above 3 m/sec | When the wind speed is 1.5 m/sec. Achieved by magnetic suspension, lightweight materials of the rotor blades and the effect of the upward air flow. |
Limitations on wind speed | |
| When the wind speed is 20-25 m/s and higher, turbine must be stopped and the blades must be rotated in parallel to wind flow to avoid damage. | Due to slow rotational speed the turbine can continue to work with the flow up to 40 m/s, generating much more electricity. |
Factors influencing mode |
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| The horizontal arrangement of the blades requires the system to be oriented to the direction of the wind.
When the direction of the wind changes turbine’s efficiency reduces. |
Vertical turbines catch the wind from any direction at any time and does not require orientation in the direction of the wind. The turbine is always running optimally and does not lose energy when the wind changes its direction. |
Wind flow |
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| The turbine uses only the direct flow of wind. | The turbine uses a direct wind flow and the rising air which increases its efficiency. |
Generator Repair |
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| In the event of failure of any element of the generator, you must completely stop the system. | Modular design of generator system allows continued operation even when part of generator is damaged. |
The cost of turbine production |
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| The high cost of production of turbines (especially small and medium class), due to complicated structures of the generator, transmissions, control system, expensive materials, use of expensive (space) technologies. | The low cost of production due to simple design, simple technology, modularity, cheap available materials and equipment. |
Turbine capacity |
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| Maximum, to date, power turbines – 5 MW. In order to construct the larger power plants installation of several wind generators is needed. |
The design of the turbine allows high degree of scalability. You can create a very large power turbines (about 1 – 2 gigawatts). |
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