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Forum Index : Windmills : Single blade Wind Turbine made in NZ

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DaveP68

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Joined: 25/11/2014
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 292

Posted: 05:03pm 28 Jul 2017

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For those interested in something a bit different, here is a Single Blade Wind Turbine designed & built in Dunedin New Zealand.

Here is a link to their website Powerhouse Wind

A quote from the "Our Story" page.
"Our turbine�s elegance and innovation are no surprise to those who know anything about engineering in New Zealand".

At least one of the chaps was involved with the design & build part, is an ex Fisher & Paykel engineer. I know this fact as he told me on a phone call.

Goes to show that the innovation that went into the Fisher & Paykel Smart Drive washing machine has crossed over into this wind turbine in my opinion.

It has no tail or furling system as it follows the wind to keep the design very simple.

In strong winds the single blade uses a patented teetering hub to go horizontal with respect to the flow of wind. It also has a stall regulated system in high winds to keep it under control.

The MPPT inverter it uses is also NZ made by EnaSolar based in Christchurch.Edited by DaveP68 2017-07-30

There are realities if you do not accept, will lead to frustration because you will be spending time on wrong assumptions and the results cannot follow! The Dunning Kruger Effect :)

Tim_the_bloke

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Joined: 15/11/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 105

Posted: 09:27pm 29 Jul 2017

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It does look elegant, and expensive. Good luck to them.
I remember some blokes I knew many years ago who built a single prop + counterweight model airplane. Flew but looked wrong.

kitestrings
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Joined: 23/04/2014
Location: United States
Posts: 102

Posted: 02:03am 31 Jul 2017

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I wonder if they are planning to have a powered yaw system. Otherwise, initial tracking (when the wind comes up in a new direction) could be problematic. I've seen three bladed, downwind units get caught in an upwind position. ~ks

gpalterpower

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Joined: 19/07/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 175

Posted: 02:35pm 31 Jul 2017

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Hi Dave,
was in NZ last year around the Otago area...absolutely beautiful country. I remember seeing one of these single blade mills somewhere between Arrowtown and Queenstown. Definitely a bit odd to look at but awe inspiring at the same time.

Marcus

if it aint broke dont fix it!!

Grogster

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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 9306

Posted: 03:54pm 31 Jul 2017

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Yes, there are a couple of wind-farms in central otago. They are three-blade type, about 10-meter blades from what I remember being told - they are BIG when you get up close to them, and you can see them from a long way away. I believe they are tied into the national grid. These are not residential units.

Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!

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