Bladeless wind turbine unveiled
A new type of wind turbine that can transform wind energy into electricity without the use of moving mechanical parts has gone on display outside Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
The EWICON has an abstract appearance, with a flowing steel frame in the shape of a rectangular zero that supports a framework of horizontal steel tubes.
Within this framework, electrically charged droplets are created and blown away by the wind. The movement of the droplets creates an electric current, which can be passed on to the grid.
Its developers claim the EWICON offers zero emission noise pollution and costs significantly less to maintain than conventional wind turbines. In addition, it can be installed on land or sea, or integrated on to the roof of a tall building.
