New wind turbines at least 30% more efficient, Earth one step closer to salvation

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/20/new-wind-turbines-at-least-30-more-efficient-earth-one-step-cl/

Still addicted to oil like the rest of the world? You might reconsider wind power rehab now that a startup called ExRo has developed turbines that it says are consistently 30% -- and in some situations as much as 100% -- more efficient than the standard kind. The traditionally-used mechanical transmissions have been replaced with an inexpensive electric alternative that can adapt to changes in wind speed more efficiently. Also, many small generators are used instead of a large one, so the turbines can be customized in production to suit the intended installation site. If this is the real deal, it beats the 0.1% increase we saw in solar cell efficiency a few months ago, and those Maglev uber-turbines are still on the horizon. Hey Sun -- jealous yet?

[Via DailyTech]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

New wind turbines at least 30% more efficient, Earth one step closer to salvation originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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