Scientists from the University of Liverpool have
upgraded an everyday wind turbine with innovative set of spinning solar
blades. The entire team, led by Dr. Joe King, unveiled an innovative
solution to perplex critics who state wind turbines are useful only
while the wind is blowing. Well, their design even doubles the
functionality of conventional turbines by integrating photovoltaic
technology. The team however faced some problems. There was a real
anxiety that the turbines could blind aircraft pilots and anyone living
in the vicinity. Besides this, on hot days, the turbines would create
lethal solar rays, which could set buildings on fire if concentrated. In
order to cope up with such issues, scientists invented a tinted solar
panel that does not mirror sunbeams. The team is now resolving on where
to install their model solar wind turbine. “We are confident that we
could transform the world’s vital renewable energy needs”, said Dr.
King.
However
the team has faced problems. Early computer simulations found that the
turbine mounted solar panels would cause blinding beams of light to
shoot out across the surrounding area. There was a real concern that the
turbines could potentially blind aircraft pilots as well as anyone
living in the vicinity. Not just that, but on a particularly hot day the
turbines would generate ‘lethal’ solar rays that could set buildings on
fire if concentrated.
“The last thing we want is for our turbines to cause
plane crashes and fires, so we’ve devised a ‘tinted’ solar panel that
doesn’t reflect sun beams. Our early prototype looked like a massive
disco ball when it is was operational, but our solution now prevents
that.”
The team is now deciding where to install
their prototype solar wind turbine. “Due to the poor amount of sunlight
in the UK, we’re definitely looking abroad,” Dr. King said. “Personally I
believe an ideal place would be Ireland. It’s close by, has strong
winds, wonderful summers, plus my family live there so I can go visit!”
Expect the solar wind turbine, dubbed the “Heat Waver”, to be set for a
summer installation in a few months. “We still have several tests to
run,” Dr. King said, “but we are confident we can transform the world’s
renewable energy needs. Just think what our turbines could do in
countries like Australia.”
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