There’s some big green energy news from down under: the Eco Whisper Turbine is up and running. Renewable Energy Solutions Australia, or RESA, out of Brisbane recently unveiled the Eco Whisper, which is said to be the world’s quietest wind turbine. This energy solution is smaller than the traditional three-blade model; it is about half the size both in height and in blade diameter.

This smart turbine also adjusts automatically to position itself for optimal wind capture. Additionally, the near-silent design may produce over 30% more energy than other turbines. These quiet, eco-friendly turbines are expected to fulfill medium to high power needs in rural and urban areas alike. RESA envisions these turbines in a variety of locals including farms, airports, business parks and universities.

The Eco Whisper Turbine has a cowl / ring design. This design is not only visibly different than the large blades one normally associates with turbines, it is what makes it quieter and more economical. Instead of air rushing off the large blades of other turbines, more air filters through the 30 aluminum blades of the Eco Whisper. Other notable features of the Eco Whisper Turbine include the hinged steel pole, which allows the turbine to be lowered during severe weather or for maintenance. The Eco Whisper also has high visibility, which is an excellent innovation for the local avian population.

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WOLFE ISLAND, Ont. (12/11/2010) - Eleven of Wolfe Island's 86 windmills loom behind Keith Walton, who takes a break from plowing his field in the early evening hours of Friday, Nov. 12, 2010. Walton supports the local wind farms, the second largest turbine project in Canada. Although the wind farms have been controversial, the TransAlta project has brought a sizable amount of money to the community and has been embraced by most Wolfe Islanders. Photo by Galit Rodan.

A group of Ontario residents who live near wind turbines claim the turbines have caused health problems. The group spoke up against the Ontario government’s decision to give energy giant Suncor a licence to build an eight-turbine wind power project in the city of Chatham-Kent, Ontario. The group of Chatham-Kent citizens filed an appeal to Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal. This marks Canada’s first hearings examining the health effects of wind turbines.

According to the group of citizens, exposure to windmills can cause sleep problems, headaches, dizziness, nausea, exhaustion, anxiety, anger and even depression.

In 2009, the Canadian Wind Energy Association funded a study done by a panel of experts to determine whether windmills cause health problems. According to their report, there is no evidence that sounds emitted by the turbines cause physiological effects, and that the windmill’s vibrations are too weak to be detected by humans. The report claims people’s negative reactions to wind turbines are based on personality, “some may find this sound annoying, a reaction that depends primarily on personal characteristics as opposed to the intensity of the sound level.” Basically, they think people who have issues with wind turbines are people who are more easily annoyed than others.

Other anti-wind advocates in Ontario are calling for more studies to be done on the effects of windmills on health before the government allows any more wind projects. One-third of Canada’s wind turbines are located in Ontario, and the wind industry is growing the fastest in the province out of all of Canada. The tribunal is expected to make a decision on the Chatham-Kent project sometime in May 2011.

Photo: Qnet

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Wind farms are gaining in adoption across the World, and this is a good thing. But they are typically not able to be setup in remote or unpopulated locations, until now. The Mobile Wind Turbine is a concept by Pope Design, it combines a long, stable, hybrid carrier with a collapsable wind turbine and mast on its back. The carrier can transport the turbine to any area energy is needed, it can also store energy to power itself, and with multiple units present reserves can be stored in trailer sized battery storage units.

Typically, fuel is trucked out to remote locations where generators run to power equipment and other necessities needed at corporate sites, military camps and even rock concerts; Mobile Wind Turbines can take care of everything. Tripods extend from the sides of the vehicle allowing it to remain in a sturdy supported position. Next, the turbine boom is extended and fastened in place with cables, it’s a 2-piece design that opens like scissors. The props on the turbine are made of ultra light-weight thermoplastic, so its not top heavy and these are manually aligned by the operator before extended the boom. No word on how much energy these turbines could output, or if anyone will be manufacturing this concept sometime soon.

[Inhabitat via Pope Design]

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