The first wind turbine in the world

Windcatcher, the world’s first wind turbine project, has just taken an important step to become a reality after being granted $ 107 million in Norwegian technology by Norway Technology Company to build the first test facility. Wind Catching Systems (WCS), the company proposed this idea, expected to complete the project in 2029, Interesting Engineering January 29 reported.

Over the past years, many equipment manufacturers have increased wind turbine to maximize the ability to convert energy from high speed wind. However, this also creates other challenges in the process of construction and maintenance, such as requiring supportive equipment and larger infrastructure for offshore wind power farms, increasing production costs. Energy output.

WCS has a unique solution to this problem. Instead of a single turbine sweeping the large area, WCS’s Windcatcher uses many small turbines 1 MW in a wall -like system. These turbines can collect 2.5 times more energy per m2 of the wind of the standard 3 -pointed turbine.

Smaller size allows them to be mass produced at lower costs. In the case of a broken turbine, Windcatcher continues to operate with the remaining turbines without significantly reducing electricity production. The replacement of broken turbine can be done on the spot without specialized trains or cranes, helping to reduce maintenance costs.

The first testing facility for Windcatcher will be located in northwestern Bergen, coastal area of ​​Oygarden, Norway, using 40 Turbine 1 MW to show the efficiency and economy of the wind turbine idea. With 40 MW installation capacity, this facility plans to create 99 GWH energy annually.

“Windcatcher’s technology has great potential, and the company behind the project has tried hard for many years to develop technology and minimize risks,” said Oskar Gardeman, senior wind power advisor offshore offshore. At Enova, said.

Although Norway’s oil and gas sector is now very developed, the government wants to promote technology and products for renewable energy. Norway aims to implement offshore wind power projects with a total capacity of 30 GW in 2040.