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{{#TwitterFBLike:right|small|like}}= Wind Energy for Boats= == Summary == Because they have a smaller footprint, vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT) are better suited to boats than horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT). They are somewhat less efficient but can take advantage of turbulent and gusty winds. Cost performance and size remain barriers. Small turbines around 600 Watts (W) capacity cost USD $5,000 or more and have a spinning diameter around 2 metres (m).
== Vertical Axis Wind Turbines ==
There isn't the space on a boat necessary for a horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) for supplementary power. Even a small vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) is problematical. Think an egg beater, with the gearbox and generator located at the bottom of the mast. VAWTs are omnidirectional and can take advantage of turbulent and gusty winds because they require a lower wind speed to self-start. They rotate at 1/3 to 1/4 the speed of HAWTs, which reduces their noise and vibration levels.
Early designs (Savonius, Darrieus and giromill) had significant torque variation on the blades during each revolution, which tended to break the blades. Later designs based on the Darrieus model solved these issues with a helical twist of 60 or 120 degrees in the blades; and by using composite materials for the blades.
<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betz%27_law</ref>
Vertical turbines are less efficient than horizontal ones, around 30%. In a design with a diameter of 2-3 m (6-9 ft) you can expect a maximum output of around 2.5 kiloWatts (kW ) (3.35 hp). Small (or “residential”) wind energy vertical systems may be suitable for boats. They range from 400 watts W to 500 kilowattskW.
== Cost ==
Small vertical turbines cost in the range of USD $5,000 to 10,000.
== Size ==
The problem of size remains. For example, the Windspire is a small 1.2-kilowatt (kW) vertical-axis wind turbine. The turbine tower is 9.1 meters tall, and its rotor area is 1.2 by 6.1 meters.
<ref>http://www.nrel.gov/wind/smallwind/mariah_power.html</ref>
The WePower Falcon is sized as small as 600 W with a 1.6-m diameter and a rotor height of 1 m. <ref>http://wepowereco.com/ecolutions/renewable-energy/wind/</ref> == Links == [http://www.awea.org American Wind Energy Association] [http://www.anev.org Associazione Nazionale Energia del Ven] [http://www.auswind.org Australian Wind Energy Association] [http://www.bwea.com British Wind Energy Associate] [http://www.wind-energie.de Bundesverband Windenergie e.V] [http://www.canwea.ca Canadian Wind Energy Association] [http://www.creia.net Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association] [http://www.ewea.org European Wind Energy Association] [http://www.gwec.net Global Wind Energy Council] [http://www.indianwindpower.com Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association] [https://evergreensolar.com National Council for Solar Growth] [http://www.jwpa.jp Japanese Wind Power Association] [http://www.wwindea.org World Wind Energy Associate] [http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_technologies.htm US Department of Energy, Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program] == References == [[Category:ElectricalGenerationWind]]
