CHINA IN BIG MAG LEV WIND BUILD

Magnetic Levitation Wind Generators are said to be capable of operating in wind speeds so low they could used to power roadside lights from the wind of passing vehicles. Little technical information has emerged but speculation is that the metals necessary for creating the permanent, frictionless magnetic bearings they depend on may limit size and growth.

China to mass produce maglev wind power generators
November 6, 2007 (Xinhua via People’s Daily)

WHO
Zhongke Hengyuan Energy Technology Co. Ltd. (Li Guokun, chief scientific developer), Guangzhou Energy Research Institute/Chinese Academy of Sciences,

This artist's concept is considerably larger than the generators China will be making. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Zhongke Hengyuan has begun construction on a production base for magnetic levitation (maglev) wind energy generators. These generators are considered a breakthrough in wind energy efficiency, operating at 20% higher levels than other turbines and therefore are capable of generating electricity in wind speeds as low as 1.5 meters/second (3.3 mph, not even a breeze).

WHEN
- Construction began November 5. Production is expected in the1st half of 2008.
- Maglev technology was unveiled at the Wind Power Asia Exhibition 2006 in Beijing.

WHERE
- The plant is in central China.
- The unique concept is expected to be particularly valuable in off-grid, low wind environments.
- To operation frictionlessly, the bearings must be permanent magnets. This requires Neodymium, a rare earth metal. Although it is in short supply internationally, China owns 90% of known resources of it.

WHY
- This maglev concept was co-developed by Zhongke Hengyuan and the Research Institute. It is analogous to a concept developed at Lawrence Livermore Labs some years ago.
- The plant is expected to cost 400 million yuan. It is expected to create 1.6 billion yuan in revenue annually.
- The generators will be produced in models with from 400 watt to 5 kilowatt capacities.
- With frictionless performance, the maglev could produce electricity at a fraction of the cost of other wind energy systems. They are faster and easier to build and maintain.
- Other uses: On off-grid islands, at remote observatories and media antennae stations.

The unique efficiency of mag lev technology comes from permanently magnetized metal "bearings" passing frictionlessly over one another as the mechanism turns. China owns 90% of the world supply of the rare earth metal necessary to make these "permanently magnetized" bearings.

QUOTES
Li Guokun: “The problem of the traditional wind turbines was that they require high wind speeds to start, because of the friction caused by their bearings…The frictionless maglev generator would cut the operational expenses of wind farms by up to half, keeping the overall cost of wind power under 0.4 yuan (US 5 cents) per kilowatt-hour…”