Vertical Axis wind turbines, otherwise known as Darrieus-type turbines, employ blades that revolve around a central housing as opposed to the traditional "propeller" design.
Although seeing relatively little commercial use compared to its cousins, vertical axis designs are touted by many wind energy entrepreneurs as providing a low cost wind power alternative that can access wind energy from any direction without requiring a yaw motor.
Sustainable Energy Technologies will license its technology and technical expertise to the Chinese Renewable Energy Technologies Delegation (CRETD), starting with the construction and testing of a commercial prototype of its 250kW "Chinook 250" design.
The Chinook design is a modular turbine designed for ease of transport and installation, making it ideal for remote Chinese locations. In addition to being able to access wind from any direction, the Chinook has been designed so that all electrical and mechanical components are located close to ground level, facilitating ease of maintenance.
"We scoured the world for a robust, simple and cost-effective solution to remote wind power generation and that led us to Sustainable Energy," said He Dexin, member of CRETD and chairman of the China Wind Energy Association.
"In combination with Sustainable Energy's extensive experience with power conditioning, they possess the unique capability to enable cost effective integration of renewable energy into remote diesel micro-grids, and to provide clean power to markets in remote areas of China and around the world."
