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Adaptive Blades: How They Work
Conventional VAWTs face the problem of resistance from the blades moving against the wind, which reduces their efficiency. Darrieus-type VAWTs also have an issue with self-starting due to their symmetrical design; they require external force to start spinning after stopping.
Adaptive blades differ in that each blade has its own axis of rotation. When moving against the wind, they turn like weather vanes, eliminating resistance to the VAWT's rotation. This lack of resistance increases the efficiency of the VAWT. Low efficiency is the main drawback of conventional VAWTs, which has limited their widespread use. However, VAWTs are beneficial in other ways: they can operate in any wind direction and perform well in low and turbulent winds, unlike horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) that require a stable, laminar wind flow.
Additionally, unlike Darrieus-type VAWTs, our VAWT does not have self-starting issues. After stopping due to a lack of wind, it automatically begins rotating as soon as the wind returns. Another advantage of VAWTs over HAWTs is that the generator is located at ground level rather than atop a tower, making maintenance simpler, easier, and cheaper.
Our VAWT is also bird-friendly. Large three-bladed HAWTs often mislead birds into thinking they can fly through the gaps between the blades, resulting in collisions. VAWTs have smaller or no gaps between the blades, and the rotor's small diameter makes it easy for birds to fly around. The compact design of the VAWT rotors makes it easy to illuminate the rotors at night.
VAWTs with adaptive blades can be considered "smart" as the blades automatically adjust to the optimal angle to the wind direction. The wind itself controls the angle of the adaptive blades.
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To achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, we need to deploy a large number of additional wind turbines. However, many of the best locations with stable winds are already in use. There is still significant potential for wind energy in areas with turbulent winds, such as cities and other populated areas. Installing wind turbines in these locations would be beneficial, as they are underutilized and closer to energy consumption points, reducing the need for extensive wiring and lowering the cost of electricity while increasing energy independence from large power grids. Buildings and other structures disrupt wind flow, making it turbulent and slowing it down, requiring turbines to be placed high above the turbulence zone. However, large high turbines are prohibited in cities and near residential areas due to strict safety regulations.
Given these factors, it is advisable to install small wind turbines in urban areas, particularly VAWTs, as they can operate in turbulent and low winds and in any wind direction. Conventional VAWTs are underutilized in urban areas due to their low efficiency caused by resistance from blades moving against the wind.
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Patent and Awards
2023 The Royal Academy of Engineering
• Leaders in Innovation Fellowships Global programme (LIF Global 2024)
2020 The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey
• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) 1512 BIGG Techno-Initiative
Capital Support Award
2019 The Turkish Patent and Trademark Office
• Innovative Wind Turbine – Patented (Examined patent)
2018 World Cities Congress Istanbul
• 1st Degree Award in Renewable Energy Category at World Cities Congress Istanbul’18
2018 AREC – Arab Renewable Energy Commission Jordan
• 1st Degree Award in Energy Efficiency Category at Arab Renewable Energy Commission AREC
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