While there is major debate taking place over whether or not wind farm subsidies should be cut by 10% or a staggering 25%, which the Chancellor prefers, the prototype of an interesting new vertical-axis wind turbine design has been announced.
Installed for the first time at the Keele University science and business park by McCamley UK Ltd, 
it’s claimed that it will ‘generate electricity in urban areas, potentially revolutionising the renewables industry.’
A ‘scalable design’ it’s suggested that one day it may incorporate office or residential space as part of the turbine design, transforming the future of the city landscape.
Conventional horizontal-axis turbines rely on a steady wind speed, whereas McCamley’s vertical-axis model is able to cope with the turbulent and variable nature of the gusting wind conditions often found in urban environments.
In these situations, when the wind speed drops below 2-3metres per second the turbine continues to operate, the point at which traditional models stop and when the wind picks up draws power from the Grid to restart.
The vertical-axes turbine does not require this power to restart – it is a self-starting.
It can be easily assembled from ‘flat-pack’ storable parts and even retrofitted onto a roof without a supporting mast, making it a viable source of renewable energy in cities and towns – areas previously seen as unsuitable for wind energy.
The absence of down-force from sweeping blades also significantly decreases noise and significantly reduces ground vibrations. In addition, the turbine is less likely to impact on wildlife.
Jonathon Porritt, the university’s chancellor, says: “It’s really interesting to see McCamley’s vision for a new design come to fruition here. Sustainability is at the heart of everything the university does, so it’s a significant opportunity for the institution to assist a business on the science park in the development of this new technology.”
More information: www.mccamley.com/