Forget solar panels with this sphere in your garden: Insane energy without installation
Wind energy technology has just reached a whole new level with the introduction of a sphere design called the O-Wind Turbine that solves the space challenge of installing “home” systems for self-consumption. The device is designed to fit in your yard and may soon start giving small-scale solar systems a run for their money. This wind energy harvesting system is capable of operating at a wind speed of 124 miles per hour, 24 hours a day, and the more extreme the climate conditions, the more effective it is. This is a distinct advantage over solar systems in regions that experience more inclement weather.
The O-Wind Turbine is coming for your solar power systems
The wind power device that’s causing such a stir with its potential is called the O-Wind Turbine, and it was designed by Lancashire, United Kingdom startup company O-Innovations. The revolutionary shape of the device makes it ideal for capturing wind from all directions, and its relatively small size and tethering installation method make it perfect for renewable electricity generation in urban environments, such as gardens, on roofs, or mounted to the sides of buildings.
The strength of the O-Wind Turbine design lies in its spherical structure. Not only can it utilize wind gusts from any direction, but it never has to move or be moved. This was a critical leap in making wind power generation accessible on a smaller scale. The device is also an upgrade from traditional turbines, which need winds that maintain a steady heading to work best.
NASA had a similar concept called a Savonius Turbine
In the 1970s, NASA started working on what it called the Savonius Turbine, named after Finnish engineer Sigurd Savonius, whose original concept from the 1920s inspired the new incarnations. The O-Wind Turbine somewhat resembles NASA’s version, which is a 10-inch-diameter box with a vertical opening in the center and open channels for wind to blow through from all corners. When this happens, the turbine is rotated on its axis.
O-Wind technology isn’t afraid of bad weather
A major drawcard of the O-Wind Turbine is that, unlike photovoltaic systems that depend on sunshine to generate electricity, it functions optimally in what would normally be called “bad” weather conditions. This is great for regions of the world where the climate conditions are inconsistent or unstable, such as the United Kingdom where the concept was born.
In addition to operating in gusty winds, the O-Wind turbine is capable of producing power from wind speeds as low as 4.4 miles per hour. This is especially suitable for urban environments, where wind speeds are typically lower due to the dampening effect of buildings and infrastructure.
When will O-Wind spheres start popping up in people’s backyards?
Startup operation O-Innovation has gone to extensive lengths to make its product market-ready. Although the company is not new to the product development and technology game, its O-Wind Turbine signifies a turning point in its evolution. O-Innovation has declared an MVP on its wind energy sphere and looking to the next step, which is commercial distribution.
A significant achievement was the securing of intermediate funding of £300,000 (about $400,000) in 2023 from the Lancashire Innovation Fund via the Lancashire County Council, which will be critical to apply the last adjustments to the finished product. The short-term aim is to get O-Wind turbines off the production floor and into gardens. To achieve this, some tweaks need to be made to the long-term durability of materials, and the exercising of design parameters needs to be downscaled for large-scale manufacturing.
It’s heartening to see a startup operation like O-Innovation entering the renewable energy market with such a strong concept, and the future looks promising for small-scale wind power generation.
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