A company named Motorwave Limited based Hong Kong, China, have developed what may be a very promising new technology dubbed "micro-wind turbines." This new technology can "generate electricity even if wind speeds are as low as two meters per second." One benefit to these micro-wind turbines is that they are small enough to fit on any balcony or rooftop and "unlike conventional wind turbines with 50-meter-diameter rotor blades, the compact micro-wind turbines are equipped with specially designed plastic gearwheels with a rotor diameter of just 26 centimeters." Another great feature to these micro turbines is if a user chooses to generate more electricity, the user can just link the "gearwheels together" to generate the additional electricity.
Motorwave claims that the installation of these micro turbines “could provide up to 40% of a small family's electric power needs by storing the turbine created energy in batteries." What is the cost? For now, a set "of 20 gearwheels currently costs about $25 dollars", however the price is expected to drop once the "turbines are mass-produced." For now, this technology will only be seen in Hong Kong. However, if the technology becomes a big hit, you might start to see it here in the U.S.
Hong Kong Engineers Develop Micro-Wind Turbine
Hong Kong Engineers Develop Micro-Wind Turbine
Trend Themes
1. Micro-wind Turbines - The development of micro-wind turbines offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the renewable energy sector, allowing for electricity generation even in low wind speeds.
2. Compact Wind Turbines - The compact design of micro-wind turbines opens up possibilities for rooftop and balcony installations, providing a decentralized and accessible source of electricity.
3. Energy Storage Solutions - The use of batteries to store energy generated by micro-wind turbines presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the energy storage industry, enabling greater self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on the grid.
Industry Implications
1. Renewable Energy - The development of micro-wind turbines presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the renewable energy industry, allowing for efficient electricity generation in low wind conditions.
2. Construction and Architecture - The compact size and versatile installation options of micro-wind turbines provide disruptive innovation opportunities for the construction and architecture industry, enabling the integration of sustainable energy solutions into building designs.
3. Energy Storage - The use of batteries to store energy generated by micro-wind turbines creates disruptive innovation opportunities in the energy storage industry, facilitating a more reliable and decentralized power supply.