Mini home wind turbines
Technological innovations in the renewable energy sector continue to grow. But this year, the field of wind energy is at the top thanks to some mini wind turbines.
Imagine a windmill, but instead of those huge structures with rotating blades, now reduce it to a compact grid-shaped box that resembles a honeycomb. Well, that’s the latest in wind turbines—a revolution in wind energy generation!
This is the basis of the design by Katrick Technologies, a significant innovation compared to traditional wind turbines, both in aesthetics and functionality.
These wind turbines harness wind energy through oscillating aerodynamic profiles that sweep the entire duct to capture wind energy from low-level gusts and turbulence.
This movement allows the technology used to react quickly to instant changes in the wind speed found in ground-level wind conditions.
It is a radical change compared to tall turbines, allowing these mini wind turbines to be used even in urban areas, without being visually impactful elements.
Additionally, there are two fundamental features in this new wind system:
- On one hand, its channeling mechanism. It involves a duct that channels more wind towards the rotor, thus increasing its speed and the consequent energy production.
Initial results have shown a wind acceleration of 1.5 times even at low speeds
- And secondly, the hexagonal shape of each panel. Independent from each other, they allow both storage and the collection of wind energy in smaller pockets.
They are flexible and scalable elements, which can be installed on different types of structures, on rooftops of houses, and even at ground level, a revolution in the wind energy sector.
During tests at the University of Strathclyde, the wind panel prototype exceeded expectations, generating an average of 41.1 watts (W) of mechanical power at a wind speed of only 10.2 meters per second (m/s), when a production between 25 and 40 W at 12 m/s was expected. Additionally, the average efficiency was 6.85%, surpassing the design goals.
According to the company Katrick Technologies… “It’s not just a technological advancement; it’s a symbol of change towards a more sustainable future. With its unique design and promising results, this technology has the potential to significantly transform the renewable energy landscape, offering a viable and efficient solution for clean energy generation, even in urban environments”.
And don’t you think we are facing an innovative technology. The company has won the Start Up award at the Barclay’s Entrepreneur Awards, the Energy Innovation Award at the National Sustainability Awards 2023, or has been included in the top 25 of TechRound100 as emerging companies to watch this year—almost nothing!
Additionally, the safety and sustainability features of the design cannot be overlooked. The small “aerofoil” blades move more slowly within the honeycomb-like structure. They represent a lower risk to birds compared to traditional turbines.
Or their unobtrusive design, small size, and low environmental impact make them an attractive option for urban environments.
If you liked the article, share it!
