Bluenergy - Model A series - Solar Wind Turbine

Solar cell Encapsulation technology: Core to Bluenergy technologies is the idea that solar cells should not be sealed behind glass and wrapped in aluminum as solar panels are now, but instead be covered by layers of pure fluoropolymer (a clear film). The idea was transformed into a technically mature, patented process, which offers distinct advantages in the production and use of solar cells. The encapsulation is dirt-resistant, non-reflective and impact-resistant.

Bluenergy imprints its special Dendrite process onto the fluoropolymer creating a microscopic field of indentions that captures sunlight from all angles and steers the light onto the cells without the use of extra optics or bulky tracking devices. The turbine's 'double-helix' shaped wind vanes serve as the foundation for the cells. The technology is proven. Bluenergy's solar modules emerged from an 18-year test with the German TUEV as the only one that maintained its power output and efficiency, with no degradation.

Solar cells from a number of vendors work with Bluenergy’s proprietary encapsulation, and can be incorporated on the vane-segments and on the base ensuring maximum performance and reliability. Using solar cells on the wind vanes increases the power output of the wind turbine by approximately 30-35% and allows electricity to be made even when the wind is calm.

Double-helix shaped Wind Vanes
A finite element analysis performed by the German company Bayer in 2002 revealed how best to use their family of Polyurethane Foam and carbon composites called Baydur® for Solarwind™ Turbines up to 10 kW. Thanks to fast molding cycles of about 90 seconds, molded 3D shapes with high intrinsic stiffness and high strength can be produced. Aluminum molds are used during production, which means that no release agents are needed, resulting in a very safe and environmentally friendly production process. With this system, strong, extremely lightweight and rigid molded parts can be produced fast and repeatably in a wet molding process.

Generator
A three-phase alternating current-synchronously permanent magnet generator has been specified. The generator has rare earth magnets applied on its rotor, providing high efficiency. The fixed winding of the rotor is continuously activated through these magnets, so that the generator immediately delivers power even at low revolutions per minute. These generators are especially designed for wind-powered devices, and are being built to the exacting requirements of the Bluenergy Solarwind™ Turbine.

Current Transfer system for Solar
Slip-ring technology provides for the transfer of electric currents produced by the encapsulated solar cells. Slip-rings have a robust design and special precious metal contact configurations resulting in extremely long life with a minimum of maintenance.

Inverter
The inverter combines the solar electricity and wind generated electrically into one current. The output is standard AC current that is easily switched amongst different country standards.

The Turbine Axis – Bearings
The axis is a hollow, re-enforced steel mast, using a double frictionless bearing system to decrease resistance, while increasing efficiency. This unique bearing system allows self-stabilization of the rotating turbine, so that even in very high winds, the heavy material stresses and loads are reduced and remain perfectly balanced.

Technological Advantages

• Utilization of wind and sun energy in one element – a unique, beautiful design
• Uniform energy generation throughout the year (during winter time more wind, during summer time more sun)
• Totally soundless (no sounds besides the wind) due to the spiral shape and the rotation speed does not exceed the wind speed.
• The device is safe for people, animals and nature.
• Uses winds from all directions, even turbulent winds (a propeller turbine has to be turned into the wind and shut down above 45 mph)
• Works with gentle summer breezes and in violent storms
• Rotates at the same speed as wind velocity; stays balanced with self-regulating stability
• No oil leakages, no ice build-ups, no vulnerable rotor blades or propellers
• Solar cell surface has a Dendrite system absorbing the sun light from all angles; producing more yield from the sun to offset the times when cells do not point toward the sun while rotating
• Solar cells are parallel-connected producing low losses, and providing secure and reliable electrical connections
• Solar cells are cooled by the rotation, maintaining electrical generation efficiency
• Contact-free current flows from the rotation of the wind vanes into the generator – no gears are needed

Production Advantages

• Stacked, segmented, identical sections (uniform production) are pre-formed and stacked to assemble the turbine
• By segmenting, lower costs are achieved for tools, mounting and final assembly
• Segmenting molds allows for adjustment of the turbine to scale the output requirements with different sizes
• Starts charging with very low wind speeds; as low as 4 mph.
• No shutdown is necessary during heavy storms; highest RPMs yield highest electricity output
• Produces about 50% more electricity than traditional horizontal propeller turbines, higher yield from both low and high wind speeds and from the solar cells

Cost Advantages

• Lower maintenance cost
• The generator is contained in the base on the ground: easy maintenance, system monitoring, and replacement of all parts
• Lower repair cost
• No repairs or replacements at tall heights, compared to traditional turbines where propellers and generators are mounted on tall towers
• Lower installation cost
• Included Hydraulic up-righting of the turbine from the ground, no cranes needed
• No operating or fuel costs as both the solar radiation and the winds are provided by Nature
• Lower insurance cost
• All moving system elements are on or near the ground
• No risk of breaking propeller blades

Global Warming and Local Electricity
The reality of global warming demands that we aggressively pursue visionary, innovative methods to produce clean affordable energy while regenerating our environment’s health. Solar energy and wind power are our most accessible renewable energy power sources, but still produce less than 5% of the world’s electric power.

We are now able to combine the most powerful and abundant forces of nature, available to all of us every day. We have mounted solar cells where they could not go before, and rethought wind turbines, eliminating liabilities and optimizing their productivity by turning them on end and making them beautiful. Bluenergy Solarwind has created the world’s first hybrid system, which generates electricity from solar cell encapsulated wind vanes in a double-helix shape – a natural shape using nature’s forces.

The Bluenergy Solarwind Turbine's dramatic, organic design is an architectural and artistic statement; while its scalable size and elegant form enhance rural, residential and urban settings with a generating system that is efficient, silent, in harmony with its environment, and safe for plant, animal and human life. Depending on the local wind resource and utility rates, a small wind energy system can reduce a customer’s electricity bill significantly, or even eliminate it completely. Over its 20- to 40-year life, a small residential wind turbine can offset approximately 1.2 tons of air pollutants and 200 tons of carbon dioxide and other 'greenhouse' gases.