Microwind Generator For Low Power Systems

An anonymous reader wrote in to say that "Shawn Frayne, has developed Windbelt, efficient, cheap lowpower wind generator built out of taut kite fabric." Everyone has seen the video where the suspension bridge is ripped apart by wind- his idea was to use the same thing to generate power. I doubt I'll be running my desktop off it any time soon, but it's a cool idea.

Comments

Nah, this is dumb

[Colin Smith]

At least for the 3rd or developing world. Look. They barely have roads and running water. LEDs, mylar are top of the pyramid technical feats.

For niche markets in the developed world though it could be interesting.

Re:Nah, this is dumb

[diarmuidw]

This is dumb on so many levels 1/ The amount of power in a breeze is equal to 1/2 * Area *velocity ^3 (watts). The amount of usable power is roughly half that again (as the wind has to exit the back of the device). So if the area is only the area that vibrates (say 0.5 meters * 0.02 meters) the amount of power is in the milliwatts 2/ Modern turbines are 80 to 90% efficient 3/ I sail and I know that a vibrating piece of fabric or plastic will have a very short life. 4/ First world solution to a third world problem 5/ A solar panel that can run radios and lights for 20 years only costs a few hundred plus a battery