big spinner

Wind power designers search for light weight and efficiency just as sailors do, and here’s a new take on the concept from London architects Grimshaw and engineers Arup backing a design by British company Wind Power.  According to Treehugger.com, the engineers "are hoping that a new design that mimics the way sycamore seeds spin through the air will help lighten up the weight of offshore turbines."  The new generator – dubbed Aerogenerator X, is twice the power and half the weight of Wind Power’s original design, and could be scaled up to produce as much as 20MW or more and measure over 900 feet from tip to tip, though it will be at least 2020 before anything viable is in operation.  See a video of the concept here.