Magnetic levitation is not a new concept, but recent developments may have pushed wind power generation technology a huge step further in efficiency. With such an intense global focus on developing fossil fuel alternatives, sustainable electricity generation is growing in leaps and bounds. Maglev turbines may well have a solid place in the future of green energy if the systems can be developed to at least equal the level of output achieved from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil.
Chinese maglev tech development could elevate wind turbine performance
The threat of global warming is spurring the energy industry to come up with new ways to generate electricity in the most efficient ways possible and among all the energy options, including wind, solar, tidal, battery, and geothermal, wind generation appears to be progressing the most rapidly.
Conventional wind energy harvesting systems make use of the “windmill” design, which incorporates blades that spin in the air currents and operate a turbine. Unfortunately, only around 1% efficiency is achieved due to friction and ineffective blade design.
However, the Chinese have been working on magnetic levitation technology that could significantly increase wind-generated output with frictionless turbines. This form of motion involves practically no contact between moving parts, meaning no friction is generated, and servicing is minimal compared to traditional wind generation setups. This is estimated to lower operating costs dramatically to less than $0.05 per kilowatt-hour. If the technology is applied to massive one-gigawatt installations, the return on investment could be realized in just a year.
How is magnetic levitation applied to wind power harvesting?
The phenomenon of magnetic levitation involves using the repelling properties of magnets to lift objects off a surface. When applying this to wind turbines, it involves levitating a wind harvesting fan in midair, which then eliminates friction as the fan will not be touching any other parts.
The cost to operate these kinds of systems will be drastically reduced as parts won’t be worn down so quickly by rotational friction, meaning drastically reduced maintenance will need to be carried out. Efficiency will be significantly boosted as the turbines will be capable of operating at wind speeds as low as 3.4 miles per hour, or 4.9 feet per second.
Will we see maglev wind generators in real life?
The maglev generator concept was showcased at the Wind Power Asia exhibition, where the device was described as a major breakthrough in a country with an estimated 70 million homes not serviced by the electricity grid.
Maglev Wind Turbine Technologies, an American company, believes that the technology is viable on a giant scale. They’ve revealed plans for a massive installation of one-gigawatt units. Each one will be the size of an office building, but the company is sure the dividends will start paying off in just a year and the output will equal that of a nuclear power station.
The NuEnergy Maglev Vertical Wind Turbine
A different company called NuEnergy Technologies has already developed a whole range of cutting-edge maglev turbines. In their design, developers aimed to solve the following problematic factors with traditional, outdated windmills:
- Less than 1% efficiency
- Costly to install, operate, and maintain
- Noisy and disruptive to nearby communities
- Environmentally hazardous to birds
- Ineffective in low winds or unable to be operated in really high winds
The Maglev Vertical Wind Turbine’s incorporates the following features to solve the above issues:
- Frictionless levitated operation
- No lubricant required
- No wear and tear
- Maintenance-free
The NuEnergy maglev turbine is configured to capture wind from all directions and convert it to energy highly efficently. The company is working on mini 2.5kW to 50kW units for small-scale power generation and some units will be able to be mounted on roofs.
The advantages of maglev wind power systems are too obvious to ignore, and it may not be long before you start spotting levitating power turbines in your hometown.