Bladeless turbines: could colossal vibrators be the future of energy?
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Bladeless turbines: could colossal vibrators be the future of energy?

Giant wind farms lining hills and coastlines around the world have become commonplace, but there could be another way — bladeless — to use wind, according to a clean energy company that claims to have reinvented wind power by removing turbine towers. , blades and the wind itself.

However, although the six-person startup Vortex Bladeless has published its own study of a new power generator design, its proof of concept has yet to appear in a peer-reviewed journal, although it is currently receiving funding from the European Union. and the Norwegian state power company. So take this possibly phallic alternative to bladed turbines with a grain of salt.

Giant vibrators with bladeless turbines attract strange attention

“We are not opposed to traditional wind farms,” Vortex Bladeless inventor David Yanes told The Guardian in a report. His Madrid-based startup has come up with a turbine design that can harness wind power without the wide white blades that everyone associates with wind power.

Many are skeptical about the engineering merits of the project, but the Norwegian state-owned energy company Equinor recently named Vortex one of the 10 most exciting startups in the energy sector. Equinor also provides financial support to startups through its technology acceleration program, which means that this project has at least a market incentive.

The startup's bladeless turbines are about 10 feet (3 m) tall and are shaped like a cylinder with a curved top, attached vertically by an elastic rod. While uninformed eyes may see swaying motion in the giant cylindrical object, it is actually designed to oscillate within the wind's range - generating electricity from the vibration.

The new design sparked interest on Reddit, where it was compared to a colossal sex toy or "skybrator". Most people probably just see the phallic shape, which may be why the topic has over 94 ratings and 000 comments on the website. One comment that people might find such a device in their mother's dresser drew 3500 positive ratings from Reddit users.

Bladeless wind power would be virtually inaudible to humans

“Our technology has a variety of characteristics that can help fill in the gaps where traditional wind farms may not fit,” Yáñez said. Energy gaps where Vortex can play a role in urban and residential areas where wind farms don't seem like a feasible solution - whether it's space or taking care of local flying wildlife. But if it works, vaneless cylinders could help homes and businesses across the country cut their energy bills.

In essence, according to Yáñez, this could be wind power's answer to the home's solar panel.

“They complement each other well because the solar panels produce electricity during the day and the wind speed is higher at night,” Yáñez said. “But the main advantage of the technology lies in the reduction of its environmental impact, visual impact and the cost of operating and maintaining the turbine.”

Bladeless turbines are not expected to pose a risk to migrating birds or other flying wildlife, especially when used in urban areas. For those who live and work in the area, the noise from the Vortex design will only produce sound at frequencies virtually inaudible to the human ear.

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