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Politics : Rat's Nest - Chronicles of Collapse -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (1286)	7/27/2005 11:20:08 AM
From: Wharf Rat	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 24213

New turbines require less energy Last updated Jul 26 2005 03:17 PM MDT CBC News Scientists at the University of Alberta have designed a new type of wind generator that can convert much lighter winds into energy. Until now, only wind at high speeds could be used to produce power. Andy Knight, associate professor of electrical engineering at the university, said the new turbines are significantly smaller in size –a few metres across – than the turbines at traditional wind farms. However, the turbines also generate less energy. Knight said the new technology is most useful for small applications, generating one to 10 kilowatts per system – less than the amount needed to power an average home. The new, smaller turbines will be particularly useful in remote areas or developing countries, where electricity can be very expensive. "If you can connect to the grid, grid electricity's cheap. Electricity generated by a small wind system isn't that cheap. So it becomes more cost effective the further away you are from the grid," he told CBC News. "It's also the kind of thing that could be quite useful in developing countries where you really want to get as much energy as possible and there's no infrastructure there for the power system." The new turbine technology is still in the testing phase. calgary.cbc.ca