FloWind: The World’s Most Successful VAWT

Though no longer extant, FloWind at one time was the world’s most successful manufacturer and developer of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines. FloWind manufactured two models of Darrieus wind turbines during the early 1980s and developed two prototype turbines during the mid to late 1980s. FloWind’s Darrieus turbines generated nearly 1 TWh (972 million kWh) during nearly two decades of operation. No VAWT has ever come close to that performance since and it’s unlikely that any ever will.

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Explanation for FloWind Blade Failures by an Eyewitness

By

Paul Gipe

Because of my critical articles on Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines, Wind Harvest’s Kevin Wolf contacted me with background on what failed …

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Low Wind Speed and Medium Wind Speed Turbines or New Large Diameter Turbines with Low Generator Ratings

By

Paul Gipe

Long awaited, low specific capacity-high specific area turbines are the kind of technology needed to make wind energy an essential low-cost component of moving society toward 100% renewable energy.

Flowind's Ehd Three Bladed Turbine Contrasted To Its 19 Meter, Two Bladed Commercial Model.

FloWind’s Extended Height to Diameter VAWT

By

Paul Gipe

FloWind’s development of the Extended Height-to-Diameter (EHD) Vertical Axis Wind Turbine was the last gasp of Darrieus wind turbine development in the US.

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Photos of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

By

Paul Gipe

I’ve added photos of historical interest to my web pages on Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) and Darrieus turbines of various designs. . .

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Market, cost, and technical analysis of vertical and horizontal axis wind turbines—A review

By

Paul Gipe

“For all wind turbines, other than those used for more decorative purposes, the cost of energy is important.”

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Sandia’s Retrospective of VAWT Technology—A Review

By

Paul Gipe

This review was a case of cleaning my desktop and before electronically filing away Sandia’s year-old report on its work …

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