The main objective of the project is to produce a wind turbine that generates energy based on the phenomenon called vortex shedding that operates at market-competitive yields and scalable.
The company has focussed in the development of a system to harness wind energy based on this phenomenon, and has experience in EU funded projects (winner of a SME instrument phase 2 and other international and national prizes).
The result of the company research and prototyping and field tests is a ground-breaking turbine without blades, formed by a few parts without gears, noiseless when operating, and with a low impact on environment, in particular on bird's population according to a study developed by a relevant environmental organization.
The design of the device is performed using simulations in collaboration with partners with expertise in fluids dynamics modelling and tailored applications, and partners with supercomputing capacities.
The technology developed so far is capable to produce clean energy from low speed winds based on the interaction of the wind and the device (geometrical design patented). The vortices created induce the oscillation of the device in a controlled manner based on the aerostatic resonance phenomena (system patented), movement that is eventually transformed into electricity (alternators under patents). The system is designed to include parts without gears, reducing the operational and maintenance works and costs.
The devices can be used connected to the grid or as a stand-alone system able to generate energy in isolated environments and in urban areas. The device is capable to provide energy for self-consumption and combined with solar panels (in particular photovoltaic systems) could meet the load demands in a reliable manner.
But the main aim of the project is to develop an alternator with a better performance. The alternator developed so far for the device adapts with its natural frequency of oscillation to resonate with the vortex shedding frequencies within a wide range of wind speeds. It is based on a magnetic confinement system with permanent magnets that increase the apparent stiffness of the system according to its oscillation amplitude and the degree of core bending. The oscillation amplitude increases as the wind intensifies. This is named “the tuning system” (patented) able to capture energy from a cut-in point of approx. 3 m/s (starting wind speed). This achieves the variation of the apparent stiffness of the structure that can be "tuned" to the incident wind speed, to remain in resonance without any mechanical or manual interference. This greatly increases the lock-in range of the wind turbine (working range).
The current design of the alternator is not performing at the desire level. The company is looking for partners with the expertise that allow them to move forward. The company is interested in implementing improvements to the non-conventional alternator with the aim to increase its performance. The main outcome of the R&D project shall be a solution, different from conventional alternators, able to increase the efficiency of the current alternator in the conversion of energy into electricity.
In particular, the company is looking for a technological partner with the capacity to provide knowledge and means for the definition, testing and manufacturing of the new alternator. The ultimate aim is to produce a wind turbine market competitively and scalable with several applications.
The company is interested in a research cooperation agreement to apply to the Eurostars programme, desirable with a 2 years project.
Deadline for the Call: September 2021
Deadline for the EOIs: August 2021
