The US designed a wind turbine combined with solar batteries that can operate at wind speeds from 8 to 121 km/h and charge 6 vehicles at the same time.
Design of wind and solar towers. Photo: WST
The Wind and Solar Tower (WST) promises to generate enough renewable energy to produce 234,154 kilowatt hours of electricity per year from a single installation, equivalent to 1.3 million miles of zero-emission driving. The technology and a small-scale model of the WST were introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in the US, Interesting Engineering reported on September 26. As the world's only hybrid system that runs on both renewable energy sources, the device reduces the cost of electricity production to a level lower than traditional methods.
Beginning in 2007, Orlando-based inventor Jim Bardia developed the WST through technological innovation to produce sustainable wind power for farm use. The current design is the result of years of work, eliminating performance and operational limitations that plague conventional vertical-axis wind turbines. According to the company, the WST’s design approach is similar to that of a race car, prioritizing durability, reduced friction, and ease of assembly and maintenance.
The hub is the central area - a key component in enhancing the tower's performance. Powerful magnets used in the tower eliminate static and dynamic stresses and the friction they cause, improving efficiency and reliability. This feature reduces friction while increasing the power curve. The digitally controlled multi-speed sequential gearbox increases productivity at a wide range of wind speeds while starting up more slowly than conventional machines. The WST can produce electricity at wind speeds as low as 8 km/h and as high as 121 km/h.
The self-cleaning solar panels at the top of the tower reduce the performance degradation and maintenance needs due to dust accumulation of the conventional version, while increasing the power output by 38%. The WST also has a modular design that can be installed to suit a variety of operating needs. This design also allows for important components to be stored inside the tower in easily replaceable modules. Since faulty modules can be removed and returned to the factory for replacement or repair, the design reduces the need for complex on-site maintenance.
The WST tower can charge six vehicles at a time and produces enough electricity to power more than 9,400 electric vehicles each year. The device also feeds excess energy back into the grid and stores it in a one-megawatt battery.
An Khang (According to Interesting Engineering )
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