Though there seem to be daily announcements of some new innovative way of delivering clean renewable energy to the masses, very few ever leave the realm of concept, and even fewer ever become tangible real-world applications. I came across Magenn Power’s site by accident yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to find that they have developed an innovative wind power system they call the Magenn Power Air Rotor System (M.A.R.S.) that has been field tested, and is set to hit the open market in the next couple of years. If their system does what it says, it could be a windfall (pun intended) for the renewable energy sector.
Big Wheel Balloon Keep On Turning
The Magenn Power Air Rotor System (M.A.R.S.) is basically the following as stated on Magenn’s website:
“Magenn Power’s high altitude wind turbine called MARS is a Wind Power Anywhere™ solution with distinct advantages over existing Conventional Wind Turbines and Diesel Generating Systems including: global deployment, lower costs, better operational performance, and greater environmental advantages. MARS is a lighter-than-air tethered wind turbine that rotates about a horizontal axis in response to wind, generating electrical energy. This electrical energy is transferred down the 1000-foot tether for immediate use, or to a set of batteries for later use, or to the power grid. Helium sustains MARS and allows it to ascend to a higher altitude than traditional wind turbines. MARS captures the energy available in the 600 to 1000-foot low level and nocturnal jet streams that exist almost everywhere. MARS rotation also generates the “Magnus effect” which provides additional lift, keeps the MARS stabilized, and positions it within a very controlled and restricted location to adhere to FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) & Transport Canada guidelines.”
“The Advantages of MARS over Conventional Wind Turbines: Wind Power Anywhere™ removes all placement limitations. Coast-line or off-shore locations are not necessary to capture higher speed winds. Reaching winds at 1,000-feet above ground level allow MARS to be installed closer to the grid. MARS is mobile and can be rapidly deployed, deflated, and redeployed without the need for towers or heavy cranes. MARS is bird and bat friendly with lower noise emissions and is capable of operating in a wider range of wind speeds – from 4 mph to greater than 60 mph.”
The height at which M.A.R.S. operates may be even more important as a recent study just released found that climate change is decreasing near-ground wind speeds; particularly in the U.S.
M.A.R.S. Blinded Me With Science
Magenn Power is a Washington/Ottowa based 30-year old company started by Fred Ferguson who, among other things, developed and patented the Magnus Airship in the early 80’s. His company’s history of research and development centers mainly around airship innovations and development; namely, innovations utilizing The Magnus Effect (from which the company’s name is derived). The Magnus Effect was discoverd in the mid 1800’s and, in laymen’s terms, is essentially the effect that creates lift when spinning a spherical, or cylindrical, object in fluid. This principle is what causes properly hit back-spinning golf ball to go further down the fairway.
This Magnus Effect is the key to the M.A.R.S.’s design and efficiency. Rather than simply having just helium providing the lift, the M.A.R.S. is also able to utilize the lift created by The Magnus Effect. This gives the object the capability of keeping more weight, i.e. generators, gears, etc., aloft without having to increase the structure’s overall size. The combined lifting effect from buoyant (helium) lift and aerodynamic (Magnus) lift help stabilize the Air Rotor against “leaning” in the wind. In tests, an Air Rotor went straight up and held a near vertical position in various wind speeds, since the Magnus effect increases as the wind speed increases. The M.A.R.S. team’s research indicates that maximum lean will never be more than 45 degrees from the vertical.
Where To Use It And When Can I Get One?
The intended, and most obvious, applications for M.A.R.S. are for off-grid/mini-grid, isolated locales such as islands, mine sites and other remote hard-to-reach areas (both geographically and electrically speaking). Though these type of applications suit the M.A.R.S. best, the company plans on rolling out systems to be used in conjunction with existing electrical grids. Magenn Power plans to ship its first official product, a 100 kW version in the later part of 2009 to test customers. Full production will begin in 2010/11. Magenn will not be shipping a 4 kW, 10 kW or 25 kW sized unit as previously planned, so hopes of throwing up a balloon in your backyard, as of now, are dashed. It’s a shame to as the projected costs for a private system were estimated to range from $4-$7 per watt, which is significantly cheaper than residential solar and wind powered systems currently available. Their website is full of info and addresses pretty much ever question you could have about the system…I just didn’t want to bore you with the details.
The Good: A cheaper, more easily deployable, innovative, and efficient wind driven energy production system. Would enable off-grid locations to be self-sufficient in terms of their electrical requirements. Focuses on simplicity of design rather than complex intricate systems that have more potential for breakage and higher maintenance costs.
The Bad: Will only be suitable for relatively remote locations due to air rights and flight paths. Though designed to account for them, it remains to be seen how M.A.R.S. will handle adverse weather conditions and operational environments. Residential and grid-tie use seems much further down the road.
The Bottom-Line: M.A.R.S. is an innovative approach to making wind power cheaper and more effective at producing energy. Though still barely past the concept phase, this technology shows great potential toward filling a growing demand for clean renewable energy.
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