The Magenn Power Air Rotor System (MARS)
Instead of giant wind turbines — which average over 250 feet (80 meters) in diameter — Magenn Power Inc. uses a tethered lighter-than-air device that rotates about a horizontal axis in response to wind. The Ottawa-based firm says that its Magenn Power Air Rotor System (MARS) efficiently generates clean renewable electrical energy at a lower cost than other wind turbine systems while potentially reducing mortality of birds and bats. Further, because the helium powered units float at altitudes from 400-ft to 1,000-ft (125-310 m) above ground level they can capture the stronger winds than conventional wind turbines.
The units are also mobile, meaning they can be easily moved to different locations to correspond to changing wind patterns or placed closer to demand centers, thus reducing transmission line costs and transmission line loses. Mobility is also useful in emergency deployment and disaster relief situations where small to medium sized systems could be air-dropped for emergency electrical power. Magenn says that a backpack version could even be deployed by a hiker, motorist, boater, or solider.
The distinct advantages of the Magenn Air Rotor System design are as follows:
- Magenn Air Rotor System is less expensive per unit of actual electrical energy output than competing wind power systems.
- Magenn Power Air Rotor System will deliver time-averaged output much closer to its rated capacity than the capacity factor typical with conventional designs. Magenn efficiency will be 40 to 50 percent. This is hugely important, since doubling capacity factor cuts the cost of each delivered watt by half.
- Wind farms can be placed closer to demand centers, reducing transmission line costs and transmission line loses.
- Conventional wind generators are only operable in wind speeds between 3 meters/sec and 28 meters/sec. Magenn Air Rotors are operable between 1 meter/sec and in excess of 28 meters/sec.
- Magenn Air Rotors can be raised to higher altitudes, thus capitalizing on higher winds aloft. Altitudes from 400-ft to 1,000-ft above ground level are possible, without having to build an expensive tower, or use a crane to perform maintenance.
- Magenn Air Rotors are mobile and can be easily moved to different locations to correspond to changing wind patterns. Mobility is also useful in emergency deployment and disaster relief situations.
Source:http://www.magenn.com/technology.php
