BOLD NEW WIND IDEAS

It seems there is almost nothing beyond the talents of the wind energy industry’s engineers. But the 3rd idea presented here is not just mechanics or aerodynamics, it is truly revolutionary. If General Compression can economically master the storage of wind energy, the world will change. (Read more here: TO CATCH THE WIND)

Wind tech firms seek a niche for new products
Efrain Viscarolasaga, November 2, 2007 (Mass High Tech (The Journal of New England Technology)

WHO
QM Power Inc. (Patrick Piper, founder); FloDesign Inc.(Stanley Kowalski III, CEO); General Compression (Michael Marcus, president)

New technologies like Stormrider and FloDesign may be able to beat the "Betz limit" that predicts no turbine can capture more than 59.9% of the wind. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Three new ideas were presented at a recent Clean Tech conference to capitalize on wind energy’s recognized viability, overcome the issue of intermittency and get around the industry’s boom-induced rising costs and worldwide supply chain slowing.

WHEN
- The 3rd Annual Conference on Clean Energy was October 29 & 30.
- QM Power Inc. and General Compression were founded in 2006.

WHERE
- The conference was in Boston, MA.
- QM Power Inc. is based in Greenfield, N.H.
- FloDesign Inc. is based in Wilbraham, MA
- General Compression is based in Newton, MA

WHY
- QM Power Inc. is altering the electromagnetic elements of the motors and generators inside the turbines to reduce sizes and maximize efficiencies. It claims to have tripled output. It is reportedly ready to close a $3.5 million funding deal.
- FloDesign Inc. is using the jet engine and aerospace technology to update blade design. The Betz limit dictates a turbine can capture no more than 59.9% of the wind driving it. FloDesign is using well-known air flow dynamics to beat the Betz limit.
- General Compression is developing a way to store wind energy and make it available on demand. The company has $8.1 million in venture funding and employs 22 people.

Schematic of the General Compression wind energy storage concept: Wind turbines drive a motor that compresses air into underground geologic storage structures. On demand, the compressed air is released to drive a motor that sends electricity to the grid. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Harley Lee, president, wind developer Endless Energy Corp.: "Most developers don't want to worry about the technology risks (with new technology), and it's not really our role…But turbine makers that don't keep up with technology will end up falling behind (their competition)."
- Piper, QM Power: "By being able to increase the average power without increasing the size of the motor, we can reduce materials costs -- copper and steel -- by one-third…"
- Kowalski, FloDesign: "If your turbine has hit the Betz limit, there really isn't anywhere else to go…We thought, 'Let's find a new curve.' When we say that, people look at us (like we're crazy)."
- Marcus,General Compression: "The current turbines are very good at generating electricity…What we want to do is make a new, efficient compressed-air system (to store and dispatch wind energy when needed)."