Back in ’05, this blog mentioned use of airfoils to improve the performance of VAWTs (Vertical Axis Wind Turbines). Eco Friendly Magazine now reports the use of airfoils to improve the performance of more common HAWTs (Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines). Leviathan Energy has come up with donut-shaped plastic fairings that wrap around the base of the turbine.
The company claims that their “Wind Energizer” generally can improve turbine output by 30% and that the custom design has an even greater effect at lower wind speeds.
The Wind Energizer can be customized to any size turbine. The shape and size of the structure depends on the turbines height, blade length, wind direction and strength. Once all those aspects are factored in, Leviathan constructs the Wind Energizer to funnel the wind flow so that the highest velocities hit the blades.
The company estimates that the Wind Energizer pays for itself in about four to five years in increased performance and that maintenance costs will decrease for users as well because the structure balances the wind load on the turbine.
So far the product has only been tested on smaller-scale turbines, so further testing will need to be done to determine the exact results for larger turbines.
