Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) can be either small or large. Regardless, they are not the mainstay of the wind industry. Very few exist and even fewer than those work. For many years, I kept these pages as subcategory of small wind turbines. However, this arrangement no longer worked well with the current web site design so I’ve put them under the main category of wind turbines even though most serious work on the technology ceased years if not decades ago.
Chapter 6. Vertical-Axis and Darrieus Wind Turbines, of my book Wind Energy for the Rest of Us: A Comprehensive Guide to Wind Power and How to Use It, has an extensive discussion of the technology–all in one place.
There is also an extensive collection of archival and recent photographs of VAWTs and various forms of Darrieus turbines on the Photos section of this site. There you can find photos of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines.
Small Turbine VAWTs and Rotor Loading
By
Paul Gipe
Below is summary of principle characteristics of mini- and household-size Vertical Axis Wind Turbines on the international market. It is not intended to include every VAWT marketed worldwide.
Mag-Wind Pyramidal Power
By
Paul Gipe
The pyramids have always been thought to contain some magical power. Maybe they do. Maybe Mag-Wind has found a way to tap into this magical power, because they certainly are not going to get much electrical power from this contraption.
The Myths & Mysticism of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
By
Mick Sagrillo
At least several times a year, yet another announcement about a “technological breakthrough” arrives in my e-mail box. Invariably, the device being “unveiled” is a vertical axis wind turbine, and in all likelihood, it is touted as an “urban rooftop wind generator.” Included with the excited chatter is an article or two published by some local newspaper. What is it with vertical axis wind turbines that bring out the nearly-lunatic fringe, both sellers and buyers?. .
EcoQuest International, WindTree, and AWEA Cease & Desist Order
By
False, Misleading and Deceptive Claims Regarding AWEA’s Purported Endorsement of WindTree Energy Generator
Chicago Offshore Wind Negates Crackpot Invention
By
Paul Gipe
An edited version of the following was read on National Public Radio’s Weekend Sunday program. Weekend Edition Sunday Re: Robbie …
Ventilators and Squirrels in a Cage
By
Paul Gipe
Like ducted turbines, a perennial favorite of hucksters and charlatans is, for lack of a better word, squirrel cage rotors.
