Bladeless wind turbine that vibrates to generate power could save more than 500,000 birds killed each year by spinning blades, experts say

A Spanish business is working on a wind turbine that generates electricity without the need for blades.

Unlike traditional wind turbines, which use the breeze to spin blades, which in turn power a generator, the Vortex Bladeless turbine generates electricity from the movement created by air hitting its 10-foot pylon.

The Vortex, in addition to being quieter and smaller, has the potential to save the lives of up to 500,000 birds killed by standard turbines.

The gadget can only create a modest amount of energy for now, but engineers plan to scale up and supply electricity for hundreds of households with a single device in the future.

Wind turbines are becoming a more popular environmentally friendly energy source, having a lower carbon footprint than coal or natural gas.

However, with their massive blades spinning at rates of more than 200mph, they represent a major threat to wildlife, killing hundreds of thousands of birds and bats each year.

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the blades are responsible for between 140,000 and 500,000 fatalities in the United States alone.

Birds of prey are drawn to the gigantic structures even at sea.
They are said to dread crossing huge swaths of open water and prefer having a spot to land in windy circumstances.

They are said to dread crossing huge swaths of open water and prefer having a spot to land in windy circumstances.

At the base of the 10-foot pylon, two rings of repelling magnets are installed. When the wind pushes the mast in one direction, one of the magnets pulls it in the opposite direction. These motions provide energy that may be used to generate power.

Wind farms must also be located distant from metropolitan areas due to their size and noise.

However, a Madrid-based business has invented a bladeless turbine that can generate power without taking up any space or harming wildlife.

The Vortex Bladeless turbine harnesses wind energy by utilising ‘vortex shedding,’ an aerodynamic phenomena that happens when air collides with a solid object.

At the base of a 10-foot pylon, two rings of repelling magnets are placed.

When the air pushes the pylon one way, one of the magnets pulls it the other way, delivering a boost even at moderate wind speeds.

The contraption sways back and forth like a crazy waving inflatable tube ‘man’ outside a car dealership.

These motions are converted into energy by an alternator, which raises their frequency.

‘In other words, it’s a wind turbine that isn’t truly a wind turbine,’ explains the business.

The pylon’s core is built of pultruded carbon fiber, which according to the firm can survive 25 years of operation before breaking or wearing out.

Without blades, the Vortex is also quieter, smaller, and less expensive than traditional turbines, and it can respond to changes in wind direction more rapidly.

And, because it doesn’t have a motor, it won’t freeze up during a strong winter snowfall like the one that caused wind turbines in Texas to cease operating last month. However, Vortex creator David Yáez claims that he is not opposed to classic bladed wind turbines.

‘Our technology has unique properties that can assist bridge gaps where standard wind farms may not be suited,’ he told The Guardian.

According to ZME Science, Vortex believes their gadget can generate power for roughly 30 percent less than traditional wind turbines, owing to lower installation and maintenance expenses.

‘Our machine does not have any gears, brakes, bearings, or shafts,’ Yáez explained in a statement.

‘It doesn’t require lubrication and has no components that may be worn down by friction,’ he explained.

Because they are highly lightweight and have their center of gravity closer to the ground, anchoring or foundation requirements have been greatly decreased compared to standard turbines, making installation easier.

Despite intentions to expand, the prototype Vortex Bladeless can only generate roughly 100 kilowatts.

In comparison, New York City consumes 11 million kilowatt-hours each day on average.

Yáez envisions a Vortex Bladeless turbine linked to a single dwelling, similar to solar panels on a roof.

‘They complement each other nicely since solar panels create power during the day and wind speeds are higher at night,’ Yáez said to the Guardian.

‘However, the fundamental benefit of the technology is that it reduces the turbine’s environmental effect, aesthetic impact, and operating and maintenance costs,’ he adds.

Vortex Bladeless was selected as one of Norway’s top ten most intriguing energy companies earlier this year by Equinor, the country’s national energy corporation, which is providing the firm with support resources and mentorship opportunities.

With future development, Vortex might contribute to Norway’s green energy strategy, which currently includes large hydroelectric power.

‘We think that collaborating with companies that break down boundaries in technology and innovation is critical to shaping the future of energy,’ Equinor spokesperson Gareth Burns said.

Yáez envisions a 460-foot-tall Vortex with an industrial partner, maybe Equinor, that could create a full megawatt of electricity.

But he isn’t the only one who is interested in bladeless wind energy: Tunisian engineer Anis Aouni is developing Saphonian, a parabolic dish that spins to capture the wind like a ship’s sail.

In 2017, Aouni told Voice of America, ‘It’s like a giant ‘eight’ in space. ‘It’s a movement we can see in nature.’ We see the similar movement in fishtails and bird wings when they move.’

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