VAWTs have been improved over the years by the addition of new materials and through new blade design and some minor design changes, but according to Vertogen none of them have addressed known problems in areas such as starting, efficiency, control, reliability, flexibility, safety and narrow operating conditions.
The key to success, according to Vertogen, is to develop a pitch system that takes full advantage of aerodynamic lift and drag properties coupled to an integrated governor, and also to create a mechanism that creates life from multiple blades, reducing drag from blades in acceleration mode and to reduce RPM creating drag from multiple blades.
Vertogen has developed a VAWT that operates autonomously. It is fully mechanical and needs no external electric or mechanical devices, keeping the unit simple to install and safe in operation. It is easier to start at low wind speeds and produces more torque, as it produces energy when other VAWTs are stationary due to low or high wind conditions.
Once Phase II is completed, the VAWT will be mounted on a tower in a normal operating environment for Phase III.
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