World Wind Watch | Green Energy News

December 5, 2004 – Vol.9 No.37

WORLD WIND WATCH.

Little information is available about this new small wind generator technology from Japan. Yet what is available sparks interest.

Zephyr, a wind turbine company in Tokyo, has announced it will begin mass production of a new wind turbine known as the Air Dolphin. The turbine, weighing less than 33 pounds (15 kg), has an output of 15 kilowatts, according to a news release.

The rotor diameter is unknown, but the company does say carbon fiber composites were used in the construction of the Air Dolphin, presumably the housing as well as the newly designed rotor.

What’s interesting about this new wind generator? Its light weight means less wind will be needed to pivot the machine into oncoming breezes.

The company also says that start -up under light wind conditions was improved by new blade design as well as power- assisting technology. Again a lack of information here, but power assisting technology could mean a little electromagnetic push given to the rotor to help it overcome inertia and get it spinning in low wind conditions.

The device also has a built-in control system that enables the generator’s continuous operation regardless of wind levels while being able to transmit operation and maintenance data. (Again, no specifics here.) Visit Zephyr at http://www.zephyreco.co.jp/