Z E M C H 2 0 1 2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e
494
Figure 19: An example of VAWTs (Refocus 2003)
In 1997 a VAWTs patented design by an Italian company Ropatec AG was installed at
an altitude of 3150 meters near Austrian- Italian borders where the wind velocities go
beyond 250km/h (Hannah Aldridge et al. 2011). The wind turbine not only survived these
extreme conditions but also became a reliable power supply for the Müllerhütte Alpine
refuge. This form of this turbine is specifically designed to start the turbine at wind
speeds of 2.5m/s and at wind speeds over 14m/s the turbine would redirect the air flow
and still rotate at a constant speed. As the turbine can generate nominal energy after a
particular wind speeds there would be no need for a braking system. These technical
advantages would not be enough to install VAWTs in private residences as the price of
the technology becomes important for it to make a more feasible investment.
Misapplications of Wind Turbines
It is highly recommended to take specialist advice before retrofitting a building with a
wind turbine. The amount of load on the mast due to turbulence may cause major
damage to its structure as it would not have been built to take such loads for prolonged
time periods. This might even prove to be fatal in case the wall on which it is retrofitted
fails. Along with the knowledge on loads that the structure can take, it is important to
evaluate the reliability of wind turbine in that particular site. The inconsistency in the wind
speeds and directions over a year makes it necessary to monitor the energy output and
average wind speeds for a particular site. Irrespective of whether the wind turbine is
located in urban areas or in open farm lands, it is preferred to place the turbine high
above the ground level to take maximum advantage of consistent and turbulent free
winds which are energy rich. In urban areas the height restrictions from the planning
council plays an important role too, only particular standardized heights would be given
permission in urban context. The output energy from the wind turbine would be too low in
comparison to the investment and the company specifications, if suitable wind turbine for
the context is not used. These amateur ways of installation of wind turbine would
develop a negative attitude among people towards the recently developing small wind
systems industry.
Future sustainable homes should consider having a taller mast to avoid the turbulences
created at lower levels due to various obstructions. Data on developing standards and
comparison of available technology is something that is missing in the newly evolving
