Helix Wind - Turbine Testing

[iknowyoux]

That's truly amazing! I slashed my electric bill in half! look here: solar.xfollow.me (Copy to your browser's address bar)

[justiceandorder]

Can you provide the dimensions of the wind turbine, power vs. wind speed data? I bet the efficiency shouldn't be very high. Also, this kind of no load test means nothing except that the wind turbine can turn.

[helixwind]

Annual energy output (AEO) at different wind speeds is available on the cut sheets for each model posted on the website. The test in the video above was under load and was used to determine initial efficiency. Subsequent to this extensive field testing was conducted to validate efficiency and output under real field conditions in a Class 7 wind regime in California. The AEO figures represent the confirmed output under real world conditions.

[stephen1carberry]

brilliant video how many houses would this size turbine power and what size would i need to power a typical house ,

[helixwind]

That's a great question, and the first one most people ask. Unfortunately, the answer is not so simple. The typical American home uses about 10,000 kWhr/yr. In a good Class 3 wind regime (7m/s average) the turbine in this video will output about 3,650 kWhr or about 36% of total household load. That being said, more wind, more power. Less usage by the home, a higher % supplied.

[Afrocanook]

For the S322, I see that the Cut-in Speed is 3.6 m/s (8 mph). Is this the minimum windspeed required for the turbine to start turning?

[helixwind]

This is indeed the minimum speed required for it to start turning, however that's not the same as to produce power. Most small wind manufacturers will issue confusing statistics which can be misleading to customers. Cut in speed does not equal starting production speed. You really need about 7m/s average annual wind speed for ANY small wind turbine to generate significant output.

[sixmagpies]

Why spend so much money on the development of a simple open Savonius (VAWT) when it's already well established that a screened or ducted VAWT is considerably more efficient?

[helixwind]

A good question. First, a ducted VAWT only generates more output in wind tunnel tests, not in the real world where the wind changes direction, and if you consider the additional swept area created by the duct as part of the turbine, then you're really not seeing an efficiency improvement, only a swept area increase. Second, the key challenge with the Savonious is to make it durable, efficient, reliable and cost effective. That's where all the development $ has gone.

[sixmagpies]

Twoddle. 'Shielded' VAWTs or, to be more precise, those with 'leading edge reorientation flap' are showing much more efficiency, either in tunnels or outside, and by a huge %. Admittedly that % still being determined, and by only a tiny few, but what I cannot understand is why it takes so long in this IT age for the best to kill the rest. Human stubbornness one supposes. This helix thing is pretty, but pretty powerless and I suspect that the site is a hopeful advertisement. .

[helixwind]

Efficiency is only part of the equation. Capacity factor is the other important part. Most HAWTs are inherently more efficient than VAWTs, but when it comes to utilizing the available wind resource over the course of a year to generate electricity, they end up producing less b/c they have many operating limitations. The ONLY metric that really matters is $/kWhr generated. On that variable, for target applications for this technology, Helix is highly competitive.

[helixwind]

There have been lots of attempts to create shielded VAWT but they lose most of the advantages of a VAWT. The shield has to have a yaw control, etc so you no longer capitalize on the variable wind direction. They do increase efficiency but at the cost of response time and CoGS.

[lakadirsk]

Could these be fitted with a flexible solar panel around them as to even further increase efficiency without sacrificing space?

[helixwind]

They could be, but the square footage and subsequent output you could devote to the solar panels wouldn't be worth the cost.

[dillonrockband]

dude that is so awesome.

[WhiteRhinoPhantom]

How many watts does this shot out? and what min. speeds? 5 to 12 mph?

[helixwind]

This data varies by model and is available on the Product page on the website.

[ccoasterdesigner]

Is it very noisy and how safe is it compared to regular wind turbines?

[helixwind]

It is one of the quietest wind turbines available because the tip speed of the blades is less than the wind speed. It is also much safer than typical turbines because it turns at lower rpms and doesn't shed ice long distances but rather downward in a limited radius.

[Teps89]

How long did it take you guys to install it?

[helixwind]

One week to one month depending on your local foundation conditions.

[ghaus1]

To be honest, one week is too long. Installing it within 5 hours would make sense.

[helixwind]

This requires some clarification. The concrete foundation can take from a few days to a month to fully set depending on the size. The actual assembly and installation of the turbine can be done in as little as 1/2 a day, 2 days maximum.

[sammyboi7831]

i want one!

[xptical]

Very clever design. On thing about turbines I never quite get: How do you regulate the output do deal with sags and spikes? Also, how well does the design stand up to wind gusts?

[dillj34555]

I suppose you could set up a battery system that would deal with fluctuations in electricity usage.

[helixwind]

You could, many off grid applications are done this way, but most customers elect to have it connected to the grid and net their usage on an annual basis. If you are on a time of use meter then, depending on your rates, a battery system to peak shave can make sense.

[Rcrby525]

stores energy, i assume the turbine has some batteries in it

and it should have breakes so the thing doesn't fly apart.

[Zollikoffer]

Actually I'm looking at the company specs for the thing and it says "No braking for normal operation"

so I wonder if it's heavily resistant to large wind gusts and breaking apart?

[helixwind]

The Savonious platform is designed to withstand sustained winds up to 100mph and gusts up to 150mph, it's one of the design characteristics that distinguishes it from most other platforms. Since the power in the wind is a cubic function, the ability to continue generating electricity at very high wind speeds during seasonal storms can generate enormous additional power on an annual basis. Most propeller style turbines have to shut down around 35 or 40mph.

[helixwind]

Battery systems for storage are a separate component and not included with the system, and the platform does have a brake so that if winds in excess of 150mph are anticipated it can be shut down.

[BrOkeNFactor]

How much do they cost?

[threehere]

small one is about $8000, its more for the big one. I think like $15000

[the43k]

I can't seem to find the performance data on the site... can you please provide or point me in the right direction.

[the43k]

ahhh found it!

[helixwind]

Great! We had just added those Fact Sheets recently.

[verdra001]

i cant find it either