Eco Geek reports the Rotating Tower in Dubai is set to begin construction. It features 59 floors that independently rotate. Each floor can create up to .3MW of electricity using the 48 wind turbines that are embedded amongst them.
Eco Geek reports ONERA, a French aerospace lab, is looking to make wind tubine blades bendable to alleviate some of the stresses on it. Currently only 30-40% of the wind turbine blade is working to create wind energy due to ”unhooking,” and ONERA is looking to increase that efficiency by 30% in the next few years.
Inhabitat reports construction is set to begin on the Rotating Tower in Dubai. The floors are capable of rotating on a central axis and providing residents with a new view whenever they wish. The skyscraper will not only be powered solely by sun and wind, but it is expected to create 10 times the amount of energy than required to power it. 48 wind turbines are constructed in between the rotating floors to produce .3 MW of electricity.
Inhabitat reports Magenn Power is in the process of creating and testing the world’s first floating wind turbine. Because it will be able to reach higher altitudes than a grounded turbine, it has the potential to create 25% more power. The company hopes to use their technology in remote locations for camping, in developing countries with limited access to electricity, and for use in disaster relief.
ExpressIndia.com reports a 50 MW wind project in West Bengal, India is the largest in the eastern region. It will require 700 acres of land and is expected to provide power by 2009. The project is managed by Suzlon Energy.
Sunderland Echo reports Cornwall Light and Power is the in the process of submitting their aplication with the District of Easington Council. The company originally planned to build four wind turbines near the village of Seaham, United Kingdom, but have reduced the number to three after consulting residents. The turbines will provide electricity to 4,850 homes.
Spalding Today reports Thomas Cowley High School in the United Kingdom has submitted plans to install a 500MW wind turbine for educational purposes. Besides placing the school one step closer to Eco-Schools Green Flag Status, it will provide the school with a means to educate students on sustainability issues. A computer in the school would display the measured wind speed, direction, and power generated. The cost would be £2,000 which would come from a grant in the Bicker Trust.
Star Tribune reports Suzlon manufacturing plant in Pipestone, Minnesota creates wind turbine blades and has doubled its employees and tripled production since opening in 2004 to meet the demand for the wind industry. The company is currently back ordered for the next two years and is looking to bring in new technology to quicken the process a crew couldn’t handle. Suzlon has incurred a lot of extra cost as housing shortages have caused for employees to be bussed in for work.
Gizmodo reports electricity generating turbines are creating power from waste heat. Manufacturing plant waste produces heat that boils a liquid to steam which turns the turbine to produce 25kW -1MW of power. Southern Methodist University is currently suing ElectraTherm’s technology.
BBC News reports wind turbine propeller blade delivery could cause congestion for traffic on the Sussex border in England. The oversized load trucks carrying the blades will travel in groups of three and could take up to three hours each trip and up to 13 days to deliver all the equipment. The blades will be used for wind turbines in the £50 million wind farm at Walland Marsh.