Article Image

IPFS News Link • Energy

Wind Turbine Advances

• arclein
"A direct drive system eliminates all the gears," Buttefield explained. "Now you're reduced to only two bearings or maybe one bearing that supports a large diameter rotor...and that's it. So you have literally one moving part -- the rotor. So just from a parts-number-count standpoint, you have a much more reliable machine."

1 Comments in Response to

Comment by McElchap
Entered on:

This a great development. Wrecked gearboxes are frequently the cause of wind generator failures. (Check the ads for "used" units being offered!) 

However, have you ever noticed alternative energy is only promoted on the big industrial scale? ...just fine as long the energy is fed to us through the grid and us electric junkies are billed monthly?

Why are we not seeing this gearless wind generator offered in small units, of 5 to 20 kw, for those of us who want energy independence? I personally want to see a wind generotor producing 5 kw in a 5 mph breeze to power everything in my tiny cottage. Bring it on!



Free Talk Live