MAGLEV Wind Turbine
MagLev wind turbines, the next generation of wind turbines is capable of generating power from wind speeds as low as 1.5 m/s and reported to operate in winds reaching 40 m/s. This large wind turbine from maglev industries will also increase generation capacity by 20% at the same time decreasing operational costs by 50% over the traditional wind turbine. Maglev also claims that this particular turbine will be operational for 500 years, a staggering claim.
The MagLev wind turbine was first unveiled at the Wind Power Asia exhibition in Beijing. The unique operating principle behind this design is through magnetic levitation. Magnetic levitation is supposedly an extremely efficient system for wind energy. The vertically oriented blades of the wind turbine are suspended in the air replacing any need for ball bearings. The turbine operates via “full-permanent” magnets. electromagnets eliminating the need for electricity to run the machine. These full-permanent magnets consist of neodymium magnets of the rare earth metals which lose no energy through friction. This combination of magnetic components and reduction of moving parts should reduce maintenance costs and increase the life of the turbine.
Maglev wind turbines have advantages and some claim disadvantages over conventional wind turbines. The first thing worth mentioning next to the wide range of operating wind speeds is the manufacturer claims that one MagLev could generate one gigawatt of power compared to the miniscule 5 megawatts of power that conventional turbines are capable of producing. One turbine could provide power for as many as 750,000 homes!
The MagLev wind turbine was first unveiled at the Wind Power Asia exhibition in Beijing. The unique operating principle behind this design is through magnetic levitation. Magnetic levitation is supposedly an extremely efficient system for wind energy. The vertically oriented blades of the wind turbine are suspended in the air replacing any need for ball bearings. The turbine operates via “full-permanent” magnets. electromagnets eliminating the need for electricity to run the machine. These full-permanent magnets consist of neodymium magnets of the rare earth metals which lose no energy through friction. This combination of magnetic components and reduction of moving parts should reduce maintenance costs and increase the life of the turbine.
Maglev wind turbines have advantages and some claim disadvantages over conventional wind turbines. The first thing worth mentioning next to the wide range of operating wind speeds is the manufacturer claims that one MagLev could generate one gigawatt of power compared to the miniscule 5 megawatts of power that conventional turbines are capable of producing. One turbine could provide power for as many as 750,000 homes!