Sweden’s first major vertical-axis wind turbine operational
Press release February 19, 2010
E.ON, Vertical Wind and Falkenberg Energi have today completed construction on the first major vertical-axis wind turbine in Sweden. The wind turbine is a prototype intended to demonstrate an entirely new wind power concept.
Björn Hellström, President of Vertical Wind said: -"The advantage of a vertical-axis wind turbine is that it is very economical to operate which is a key important issue for wind power operators
The new design includes a number of innovatative features.
One unique advantage is that the wind turbine is electrical controlled, unlike other wind farms in the country, which are controlled mechanically," says Björn Hellström, adding that the tower is also built from a wood composite rather than steel and concrete. This generates several financial, environmental and technical gains.
The wood composite used in the wind farm is a product comprising fiberglass and glue-laminated wood beams. These materials are combined to achieve the optimal properties.
The principle behind a vertical-axis wind turbine is the same as achieving lift in an aircraft. The wind turbine’s blades have a profile that encourages them to lift, but because the blades are attached to a turbine in the wind plant, this power is instead used to drive the turbine, which in turn produces electricity via a generator.
"As a result of our investment in new wind power technology, we are contributing actively to the development of renewable technology," says Martin Lindholm, Manager New Technology at E.ON Climate and Renewables. He added that the project will undergo thorough evaluations during the coming months.
"This is a brand new Swedish technology, which is also manufactured in Falkenberg," says Falkenberg Energi’s Environmental Manager, Jens Melin, adding that this will make the evaluation of the project particularly exciting.
A total of four vertical-axis plants will be built at the jointly-owned wind farm in Falkenberg. All four will be manufactured in Vertical Wind’s newly established premises in Falkenberg. Each plant has a capacity of 200 kW, approximately one-tenth the size of today’s conventional wind turbine´s.
The project is being conducted as a partnership between Vertical Wind, Falkenberg Energi, E.ON and the Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten).
It's satisfactory that Swedish research and engineering is used by the energy companies. I hope that the authority's support will help the businesses to further evolve and enlarge the wind power market" said Thomas Kåberger, director-general of the Swedish Energy Agency.
Ends.
For more information, please contact:
Björn Hellström, President, Vertical Wind, +46 (0)18-180 617
Jens Melin, Environmental Manager, Falkenberg Energi, +46 (0)70-640 57 42
Martin Lindholm, Manager New Technology, E.ON +46 (0)705-25 25 91
Mattias Hennius, Information Manager, E.ON +46 (0)705-19 18 92
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