Archimedes wind turbine
Although we are determined to put solar energy in our house, we must not forget the wind. New startups are launching domestic mini wind turbines that can be a viable or even better alternative.
We already mentioned Katrick Technologies, but today we highlight the mini wind turbine Liam F1. With a Formula 1 name, its innovative system generates renewable electricity almost at the same speed.
The Liam F1 is the proposal of the Dutch company The Archimedes. A new concept of mini wind turbine where the traditional blades have become a triple spiral helix, inspired by the Archimedes screw, and it seems to work quite well!
it is capable of capturing approximately 35% of all the kinetic energy in the air and is quite silent (less than 45 dB)
According to the manufacturer, it has two sizes; With a diameter of 1.5 meters with a nominal power of 550 w/h and a maximum of 700 w/h. And the small one, 0.75 meters with a nominal power of 100 w/h and a maximum of 150 w/h.
Due to their sizes, they are designed mainly for domestic use or in applications that do not require excessive electricity consumption (agricultural supports, street lighting, charging stations for electric cars, etc.)
Thanks to the design, the performance remains constant even with snow or rain, and it is capable of handling turbulent air exceptionally. … What technical features does the mini wind turbine Liam F1 have?
It has a yawing system that allows it to automatically orient itself to the optimal wind direction without requiring additional hardware or software.
If we look at the technical table for the two models offered by Archimedes:
🟨 Note: For more technical features, we can consult from the following PDF and the study of the aerodynamic features HERE (Official website Archimedesgreenenergys.com).
The wind turbine blade is made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, with weight for the small one of 60 Kg and the large one reaching 280 Kg.
It is possible to configure hybrid systems by combining with photovoltaic energy systems. On Grid, Off Grid, or hybrid connection methods.
A notable point is that it can start to generate energy with low wind speeds, around 3 m/s, useful in areas with less intense winds.
As mentioned in the previous video about these small wind turbines we have that (prices not verified):
- Prices for the small wind turbine F1 manufactured in India: $1700 for AWM750D and $3200 for AWM1500D (excluding shipping and duties).
- The controller is not included. You can choose between isolated or grid-connected controllers. Prices range from 500 to 1,000 dollars.
Could this turbine replace solar panels? Honestly, a lot of calculations need to be done. To compare energy system prices, it’s not enough with the €/kWp or just looking at prices in general; operating hours are key.
In areas with constant wind, wind energy operates many hours near its maximum. Photovoltaic depends on the sun. The real economic comparison requires at least considering the location and operating hours of each system.
To compare Wind vs Sun, operating hours are crucial, beyond the price per kWp
The choice between these domestic photovoltaic and wind technologies will depend on many factors: geographic location, prevailing weather conditions (wind vs sun), available space, specific energy needs, or the money you have.
In most cases, a hybrid system that combines both technologies can be an optimal choice to ensure a more constant energy supply.
By the way, if someone wants to make a homemade Archimedes mini wind turbine, there are several users on YouTube who have built one. An example.
We find it interesting for those who like DIY and, by the way, take advantage of the wind to generate renewable energy.
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