Remember the Airborne Wind Turbine covered by Gizmag towards the end of March? The creator of the prototype, Altaeros Energies, has been in touch to show us a video of the prototype in operation and we can confirm that a) it flies and b) the turbine goes round.
Though we wouldn't typically post an update with relatively scant new information, the combination of this product's uniqueness and the interest the original story garnered among Gizmag readers means we thought this was worth letting you know about.
Also, it's nice to have a video without unnecessarily distracting and incongruous music suddenly blasting out of your cans, but perhaps that's just me. Judge for yourself...
Also in crosswinds a dirigeable can easily turn into the wind, the current design looks stable only when it is turned into the wind direction, being only semi rigid I would not like to see what happens when it is buffeted from the side and the envelope meets the blades.
In short get a blade housing.
It has fins that will keep it turned into the wind.
Given the blade clearance and the stiffness of the inflatable structure any additional blade housing should be unnecessary. However a rigid housing that provides for smoother airflow might be worth the cost.
The supply of helium is effectively infinite because it is produced by radioactive decay and trapped in shales. We have far more than it is possible to ever use, but it is all wasted because there is no market. It is a normal byproduct of natural and shale gas production.
The aerostat is tethered by a single cable and it has fins to keep it pointed into the wind. Between the stiffness of the inflated structure and the wide clearance the envelope will not meet the blades except in conditions that make the thing fall out of the sky the good option. The contour of the air channel could be improved. ...........................................................................................................................
re; Denis Klanac
Hydrogen leaks a lot faster than helium, and the supply of helium is not near as limited as you think.
thank you cwc