http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/bladeless-wind-turbines-generate-electricity-by-shaking-not-spinning-10257275.html
sunlitrevolution
Bladeless wind turbines generate electricity by shaking, not spinning
Scientists hope to hugely reduce the cost of wind energy by removing the blades from wind farms, instead taking advantage of a special phenomenon to cause the turbines to violently shake.
Vortex, a startup from Spain, has developed the tall sticks known as Bladeless — white poles jutting out of the ground, that are built so that they can oscillate. They do so as a result of the way that the wind is whipped up around them, using a phenomenon that architects avoid happening to buildings and encouraging it so that the sticks shake.
They do so using vortices, which is where the company gets its name from. The bladeless turbines use special magnets to ensure that the turbines are optimised to shake the most they can, whatever speed the wind is travelling at.
As the sticks vibrate, that movement is converted into electricity by an alternator.
holmgangs
Wiggling Poles of the Wasteland Harvest Electricity For Power Hungry Humans
jenniferrpovey
These also look like they would cause fewer problems for birds and bats.
fullcontactmuse
This is really cool.
winneganfake
They leave off the important note that when the wind rises, each pole makes a sound like a hundred vuvuzelas roaring at once. In the post-apocalyptic world of the future, villagers will speak in hushed tones about the Roaring Plains, and caution adventurous travelers to stay well away.
tentakrule
I appreciate how they essentially invented very useful yet alien-looking screaming pillars. Science continues to make some suspiciously sci-fi shit.
kweyolempress
At least you won’t have to go outside to know how windy it is… You’ll hear it.
dazed-unfazed
They provide us energy
They provide us warmth
They love us
These martyr gods, their twitching agony is our salvation
GLORY TO THE WAILING OBELISKS
jewishzevran
In case anyone was wondering about the Roaring Plains mentioned in “Sunflower Seeds”.
“Now entering Minor Tremor Zone. Please secure all cups.”
