Hong Kong Inventors Unveil New Micro-Wind Turbines

Hong Kong Inventors Unveil New Micro-Wind Turbines Suitable for City Dwellers
By Claudia Blume
Hong Kong
18 March 2007

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Buzzing Hong Kong is better known for keeping lights on all night and the
Wind turbine
air conditioner running full blast, not saving energy. But engineers in the city have introduced an innovative wind energy technology than can help both rural and city residents protect the environment and cut down on energy costs - without having to spend a fortune on an expensive device. Claudia Blume reports.

A large wind turbine on a small outer island is one of Hong Kong's few sources of renewable energy. One of the reasons not more are being built is that the wind in the city is simply not strong enough, a problem it shares with many places worldwide.

Engineers at the University of Hong Kong and a private renewable energy company have developed a new micro wind turbine that can generate electricity even if wind speeds are as low as two meters per second.


Looks pretty cool!
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-03-18-voa10.cfm

We live by Lake Michigan and there is almost always a wind of some sort here.

...but hey, if it works go for it

Neat idea. I wonder about noise knowing that gears tend to make a good amount of it, but certainly the idea of using lots of inexpensive mass produced parts is very appealing and underapplied -- not to knock other efforts but a lot of designs are hyperoptimized and never make it to mass production, whereas this one throws theoretical efficiency to the wind, no pun intended, and goes right for the "bang for the buck" angle.

http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/03/21/micro-wind-turbines-small-size-big-impact/

Of course, grains of salts should be taken until they get into the hands of end customers that can offer an unbiased review. I imagine there's a power limit based on the structural stress limits of the units near the turbine.

except for the gearing, these are perfect plastic replicas of the farm windmills that dotted the country for years.

They were designed for high torque in low winds to pump water to an elevated holding tank. There's one still standing around the corner from me, although it hasn't actually been used for years.

he's hooking it to his well. I can see it from where I sit now.

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2005/10/south_africa_th.html

The "Play Pump" links a children's merry-go-round to a water pump, and pays for maintenance by putting a payed advertising sign on top.

I'm reminded of a science talk I heard way back in high-school. The guy's central thesis was that we didn't need less technology or more technology, but better, smarter technology.

I think this is where the future lies.

but wait till someone looses and eye!!!

That's actually a pretty creative idea.

I can see it now, "kids, go out an play, mommy needs water for the wash". :)