Quietly Effective - Subterfuge Wind Turbine - A microwind turbine for residential use. The original concept involved a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) with a rotating shroud. This design was developed into a high altitude horizontal axis turbine that could be lofted using a weather balloon.
Contextual research indicated design opportunities relating to perception and payback: consumers are looking for solutions that eliminate acoustic and visual distraction while creating enough energy to have the investment pay for itself.
The form could either be celebrated or disguised. Early ideation involved contextual coastal forms from nautilus shells to lighthouses. Packaged energy production and consumption options were examined as well (e.g. wind powered air conditioning).
Later ideation involved high altitude forms. Almost half the cost of small turbines comes from the tower itself, which is unsightly and a liability in stormy weather. Using a tether and a weather balloon, the revised concept could be lofted higher than conventional towers where wind speeds are higher and more consistent. During storms and high winds, the Subterfuge can be retrieved using a ground-based winch.
The exploded view of our initial concept shows the magnet and armature locations as well as the exterior rotating shroud.
Prototyping involved several iterations of building to think. After failing several times, we finally converged on a vertical drag-based design.
The composition of the revised concept used composites and aluminum foam to maintain a high strength to weight ratio.
Product rendering in context.
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Subterfuge
A microwind turbine for residential use. The original concept involved a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) with a rotating shroud. This design was developed into a high altitude horizontal axis turbine that could be lofted using a weather balloon.