Quietrevolution Discussion

Robert Webb, CEO of XCO2, kindly responded to some of the earlier discussion about his companys wind turbine, the Quietrevolution. His response to Henry duPonts comment that vertical-axis turbines are less efficient than horizontal-axis machines:

"It is not true that HAWTs are inherently more efficient than VAWTs. There are good aerodynamic studies showing the efficiency is similar in theory. The issue is simply that to date vastly more has been spent on developing HAWTs."

"In fact for small scale applications near the ground, where the wind is turbulent, we predict a 20% to 40% better output for a VAWT due to responsiveness to rapidly varying wind conditions."

We would welcome a deeper discussion of the engineering and aerodynamic challenges involved in wind turbines. In the meantime, theres a lot to be said for any alternative-energy product that brings aesthetic satisfaction along with its other benefits. Such an edge can make all the difference when someone is contemplating the installation of a wind machine. The same can be said of lightbulbs, solar panels, and other products. If someone has to sacrifice 25 percent of efficiency in order to put up with a switch to an alternative source in the first place, hes still 75 percent better off than before.

~ Doug Logan, "New Energy Watch"