Editor's Choice - SheerWind Multiple Turbine INVELOX System - A BETTER WAY to harvest wind

SheerWind is a wind energy technology company that has developed INVELOX, a new and innovative wind power generation system that significantly outperforms traditional wind turbines. INVELOX delivers superior power output, at reduced cost, and solves in the process all the major issues that have so far undermined the wind industry, such as low turbine reliability, intermittency issues and adverse environmental impact.

Providing sustainable, affordable electrical energy to anyone, anywhere. SheerWind's patented INVELOX wind delivery system captures, concentrates, accelerates, and harvests wind power in a funnel or shroud. It is a solution that utilizes current wind power turbines and rotors but brings them to ground level for easier, safer, and cheaper operation and maintenance. Multiple turbines can be used in a row or series increasing output capacity for each tower.

The fundamental innovation of INVELOX is that it eliminates the need for massive blades and tower-mounted generators. The technology is based on a concept of elegant simplicity: It works by capturing the wind through a funnel to increase its velocity, and channelling it into a ground-based generator so the power output rises exponentially.

INVELOX is a deep rethinking of the current problems associated with harnessing the power of the wind. Today’s wind power systems have incrementally improved wind turbine performance, but the gains have only come from building turbines with ever-larger blades, perched on ever-taller towers, and built at ever-increasing expense.

To date, the cost of wind power still exceeds the cost of power from coal and natural gas. INVELOX, with its cut-in wind speed as low as 2 mph, transforms wind energy into a reliable, baseload power source cheaper than natural gas.

How INVELOX Works 

1. Wind is captured at the top of the funnel shaped INVELOX system. The omnidirectional intake area allows wind collection from any direction
2. Wind is funneled through the system
3. Wind is concentrated and further accelerated in the Venturi Effect* section of the INVELOX system. *The Venturi effect is the phenomenon that occurs when a fluid that is flowing through a pipe is forced through a narrow section, resulting in a pressure decrease and a velocity increase.
4. Wind is delivered to the turbine/generators to convert the accelerated wind to electrical power. INVELOX is the first single wind tower capable of powering multiple turbines in a row or series
5. Diffuser returns wind to nature

This system of capturing, concentrating, accelerating, and harvesting wind power in a funnel is a patented system we call INVELOX™ (for INcreased VELocity). SheerWind is a wind power generation company that is poised to turn wind power into a major power generation player. SheerWind’s INVELOX is a solution that utilizes current wind power turbines and rotors but brings them to ground level for easier, safer, and cheaper operation and maintenance. Multiple turbines can be used in a row or series increasing output exponentially for each tower.

SheerWind’s mission is to provide sustainable, affordable, electrical energy to anyone, anywhere. Watch here:

Technology Validation

INVELOX technology has been reviewed and validated by a technical advisory board, a team of experts from major research universities and agencies. Prototypes were tested under controlled laboratory conditions, and test results were used to build and validate full-scale computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models.

Several demonstration units are being field tested during 2012. The first small-scale unit was installed in a field near SheerWind’s facility in Chaska, Minnesota. The unit incorporates the instruments for full speed and power data collection. Preliminary speed data have validated CFD model predictions.

A larger-scale (Commercial-grade) field demo unit has also been completed. Data collection and testing has exceeded expectations.

Commercial-Grade Field Unit Report

Comparing INVELOX commercial-grade wind energy generation with the same turbine on a traditional tower-mounted system. The test results indicate that INVELOX significantly out-performs the traditional turbine and is competitive with natural gas and hydroelectric generation by:

• Producing 600% more electrical energy (kWh)
• Operating at wind speeds as low as 1 mile per hour and in low wind regimes (class 1 and 2)
• Reducing installation capital cost to less that $750 per KW
• Increasing energy production capacity to record high of 72%

SheerWind’s INVELOX wind energy system captures the breeze from an above ground portal and funnels the wind through a tapering passageway that naturally accelerates its flow. This kinetic energy drives the INVELOX generator that operates at ground level. INVELOX has the following advantages:

• Costs less than 1 cent per KWH, making it competitive with natural gas and hydroelectric powered generation
• Requires no government subsidies to be profitable
• Reduces operating cost by 50% of current wind turbine technology
• Minimizes environment, animal, bird and human impact

Until now, wind energy has been plagued with cost, reliability, viability, and environmental and wildlife issues

INVELOX Benefits

OPERATION and PERFORMANCE

• <2¢ per kWh at utility scale

• Multiple turbines/single tower

• Near zero downtime

• Operates at low (2 mph) and high (over 50 mph) wind speeds

• Cut-in speed of 1 meter per second or or about 2 mph

• No cut-out speed

• Cost effective, safe, and easy maintenance

• OPEX $3 per MWh

• 50% less operating and maintenance costs than traditional wind

• Less than 5 year payback

• No FAA or security radar interference

• CAPEX of 75¢ per watt at utility scale

• Can be retrofitted to towers, silos, or existing buildings

• Building integration

• No yaw or pitch system

• Scalable from watt to megawatt

• Weather resistant

ENVIRONMENTAL

• No harm to humans, animals, or our flying friends

• Will not disrupt bird migration

• Minimal noise or vibration

• Increased geographical locations

• Building integration

• Installation close to end user

• Architectural integration into communities

• Can be used for landmarks, art installations, and signage

• No optical flickering

• Unlimited applications and design

To receive more information on this article, our Newsletter or find out more about what w3.windfair.net has to offer, please, do not hesitate to contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net.

Please don't forget to follow us on Twitter: w3.windfair.net on Twitter

w3.windfair.net is the largest international B2B internet platform in wind energy – ultimately designed for connecting wind energy enthusiasts and companies across the globe.