The traditional image of a wind turbine – a towering structure with rotating blades – is being disrupted by a revolutionary new design: wind turbines without blades. This innovative concept has been made possible by researchers at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausana in Switzerland, who utilized machine learning algorithms to optimize the design of vertical axis wind turbines, resulting in improved efficiency and resistance to wind gusts.
The Revolutionary Potential of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
The use of learning algorithms has enabled the discovery of the perfect way to optimize vertical axis turbine design, improving its efficiency and resistance to wind gusts. While horizontal axis turbines dominate the market today, vertical axis turbines have a rich history, dating back to the seventh century when they were used in the Middle East to grind grain. These turbines are silent, denser, and require less space, making them an attractive alternative.
Challenges and Solutions for Clean Energy
Despite the advantages of vertical turbines, also known as VAWTs, their adoption has been limited due to technical challenges related to air flow control. However, researcher Sébastien Furon at the Diagnostic Laboratory of Non-Stationary Flows of the EPFL has found that integrating sensors and machine learning can overcome this obstacle. The EPFL’s investigation marked the first time an automatic learning algorithm was applied in an experimental context to improve the inclination of a VAWT’s blades, resulting in over 3,500 iterations that selected and recombined the characteristics of the most beneficial inclinations.
The team at EPFL discovered that the phenomenon of stagnation, typically detrimental to turbines, can be used to boost energy production forward, making energy more effectively. This reorientation of the forces generated by the blades reduces vortices and creates a second area of energy production, increasing efficiency even more. The findings of Le Fouest and his team aim to improve the efficiency and reliability of these turbines, paving the way for commercialization and facilitating the adoption of cleaner technologies.
Towards a Sustainable Future
The discovery of more efficient, silent, and safe vertical turbines is a significant step towards a sustainable future. The perpendicular movement of these turbines with respect to the wind allows for a unique way of harnessing energy, providing several advantages that have not yet been fully valued. As the energy sector seeks new sources to meet demand without harming the Earth, research has given us a new way of seeing energy. Thanks to machine learning, we are now closer to having more efficient, silent, and safe turbines, which is crucial in the fight against climate change and making the future of humanity more sustainable and efficient in energy terms.
