A new twist for wind power technology

Wind turbines have long been fixed in the public imagination as giant propellers on sticks, marching across rural landscapes to the ire of local residents. But now an alternative design of turbine that rotates on a vertical axis is attracting renewed interest, as developers consider the benefits they may bring in terms of reduced noise, increased efficiency, versatility and aesthetics.

The horizontal axis wind turbine that resembles a traditional windmill has been the preferred choice of the wind energy industry ever since the world began to awaken to the potential of renewable energy sources. Its rival design, the vertical axis wind turbine was eschewed as inefficient and prone to technical faults.

Now, however, the VAWT may be entering its renaissance period, as experts reconsider its various merits. From a technical standpoint, VAWTs have the advantage of needing no mechanism to turn it into the wind, while any generator or gearbox can be fixed to the ground rather than being fitted further up the tower as in a HAWT. Additionally, VAWTs may not require a tower, which will please the anti-turbine lobby enraged by the presence of 100-foot HAWTs casting shadows across precious rural landscapes.