As reported on CNN on March 9, 2009 the new US Stimulus bill may allow for continued rapid growth of the micro wind turbine industry.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/09/small.wind.turbines/index.html
Updated: Mar. 02, 2009 at 7:10 am
A Winnipeg company wants to make the city a bit more energy efficient, and they’ve set their sights on the downtown office towers to start.
Global Wind Group president Alex Stuart says they want to leverage the unused rooftop space to create sky-high urban wind farms. The idea is still in its planning stages, but the group is currently working with the University of Manitoba’s Alternative Village to test one of the vertical axis turbines they one day hope will grace the rooftops of Winnipeg’s downtown.
So, just how much do these turbines cost? According to Stuart, roughly $10,000 each. Manitoba Hydro has shown early interest, but says until more serious testing is complete, they would not commit to being involved. The turbines could also be situated on homes, but Stuart says homeowners would not likely get on board unless financial incentives can be offered.
– With files from the Winnipeg Free Press and Global Wind Group
Click here to view CTV video interview
Updated: Mon Mar. 02 2009 16:42:55
ctvwinnipeg.ca
Every light switched on every piece of equipment used costs the University of Manitoba money, a lot of money.
“It’s a huge cost per year. I don’t have the exact number in my head, but I know it’s in the millions of dollars,” says University of Manitoba Department of Biosystems engineer Kris Dick.
This is why the university is looking everywhere for new ways to save money, and that includes looking up.
“We call this vertical axis wind turbines,” say Alex Stuart from Global Wind Group, as he shows off the next thing in energy harvesting.
“If you took a propeller or an airline wing, and stood it on its side, that’s what you’re getting here,” says Stuart.
Unlike huge traditional windmills that stand in fields like giants vertical axis wind turbines are small enough to be placed in the city.
“Condo’s, office buildings, downtown office buildings, we really believe we can turn the urban landscape into a field where we can gather all of this energy,” says Stuart.
Each turbine will generate about 1200 watts of electricity.
U of M study to probe feasibility
by: Lindsey Wiebe, Winnipeg Free Press, February 27, 2009
If Alex Stuart’s dreams came true, every highrise in downtown Winnipeg would be topped with a wind turbine, silently capturing energy to power the offices below.
For now, he’s glad to have one turbine up at the University of Manitoba, where research will show whether his vision of a sky-high urban wind farm in Winnipeg will ever come to fruition.
Stuart said Manitoba Hydro has shown early interest in the project, but said more serious involvement would depend on the results of the testing.
“That’s unused rooftop real estate,” said Stuart, president of Global Wind Group.
The start-up company is working with the University of Manitoba’s Alternative Village to test one of the vertical axis turbines they hope to eventually distribute in Winnipeg. Stuart believes the city’s skyscrapers could one day substitute for the massive bases that traditionally support wind turbines such as the ones in St. Leon, southwest of Winnipeg
“We already have huge towers — we just call them office towers,” he said.
14
NOV
U of M Installation
Global Wind Group is very excited to be installing our first vertical axis wind turbine at the University of Manitoba’s, Alternative Village.
The Alternative Village exists to provide the opportunity for researchers, students, practitioners, industry and the public to share ideas and learn about the choices we have with regard to energy and building strategies that are outside the current conventionally available options. To this end, we are able to provide a physical space to conduct research and testing programs on alternative energy technologies and building envelope systems. We also provide a collaborative learning environment; one that extends beyond the physical location of the strawbale research facility and is designed to increase the knowledge base of students, practicing professionals and the public in the theory and application of alternative energy technologies and building envelope systems.
Our 1.2 kW VAWT has been mounted on a university designed composite pole among the array of solar panels, wind testing equipment and straw bale building.
Stay tuned for updates to the installation via pictures and video.
