South Australian engineers have successfully re-engineered and tested a vertical-axis wind turbine that can be used in urban environments.
Australia is in the middle of a renewable energy shift, with households looking for cleaner ways to power everyday life. Solar panels are a familiar sight, battery storage is on the rise, and the appetite for cleaner, smarter energy solutions continues to grow.
While some green energy options have started to take hold, wind turbines have long struggled to make the leap from wind farms to urban streets. But that may be about to change.
In South Australia, a new wind energy trial is showing real promise. The team behind it has recently successfully re-engineered and tested a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) design on a major construction site, pushing wind energy closer to becoming a practical, accessible option for homes and small businesses.
Flinders University’s Advanced Wind Energy Technology (AWET) research group, led by mechanical and aerospace engineer Dr Amir Zanj, has been working in partnership with South Australian start-up VAWT-X Energy to develop the product and said that, unlike traditional turbines, this new design is compact, quiet, and capable of generating power even in low or variable wind conditions.
“This technology originated in the UK, but it did not meet expectations,” Zanj said. “The research team at AWET has improved the design and simulations show that a new version of the prototype, planned for release next year, will have the capacity to compete with traditional horizontal wind turbines.”
Unlike the smooth, steady airflow that large wind farms seek at high altitudes, wind near the ground is turbulent and inconsistent – especially around buildings and rooftops. This “low-quality” wind is difficult to harness, but it’s also where small-scale energy solutions are most needed, Zanj said.
“Each vertical blade piece operates at a low rotational velocity, which is a critical design feature allowing the turbine to be safely installed closer to homes.” It also means the turbines will have significantly less impact on birdlife.
Vertical-axis designs offer a unique advantage because they can capture wind from any direction and adapt to shifting air patterns, making them ideal for residential and small business settings. There are also some surprising other outcomes, Zanj said.
“There is significantly less noise and vibration compared to traditional wind turbines – in fact, we found the noise generated by the prototype was so minimal that it was less than the noise of the wind itself.”
Collaborating to find a solution
The six-month trial was conducted in partnership with CB Contractors for use on the duplication of Main South Road between Aldinga and Sellicks beaches in South Australia. The six-kilowatt turbine was enough to power the site, in conjunction with solar and bio-fuel sources.
Zanj argues a project such as this can only find success through collaboration, primarily due to the cost and challenges in manufacturing.
“The site itself probably had some of the worst wind in South Australia,” Zanj said. “But what was very important for me was that we were collaborating with the end user, who in this case were looking for a green power source and were interested in being involved in a trial – and we had government support.”
This collective effort helped secure an investor for commercialisation and has attracted further investment interest following the news of the successful trial, he adds.
“The challenge is not just about building the VAWT, but about building it at a justifiable cost while ensuring it meets performance expectations and can be scaled for diverse applications.
“With subsidies, a six-kilowatt small-scale solar system can be purchased for as little as $2000 to $3000, so to be viable, the VAWT needs to be available at an affordable price or there will be no market demand for the technology.”
Winds of change on the way
On the back of the success of the trial, the team is now using AI-assisted generative digital twinning to support the design process.
“It allows us to scale the technology both up and down, depending on the application. The six-kilowatt prototype is a learning and validation tool – it helps us test and refine our digital simulation platform,” Zanj said.
“We can then use this platform to develop a range of prototypes tailored to different needs, such as a larger 80-kW model aimed at industrial settings like factories, and a one to two kilowatt prototype for households, which on a windy day can produce 30-40 kWh, as much as a six-kilowatt solar panel.”
Future plans also include exploring diverse applications within integrated energy systems.
“There are so many potential applications for hybrid systems, optimising solar, hydrogen and wind, such as powering offshore transport, farming operations, and even mining. These industries often operate in remote, off-grid locations and currently rely heavily on diesel for power.
“We know many remote communities in Central Australia still depend on outdated diesel generators, for example. Integrating wind and solar energy into these areas could significantly improve the reliability and sustainability of their energy supply.”
Watch Dr Amir Zanj outline the project’s development in more detail at this EA OnDemand webinar.
To bad councils won’t let it happen because:
1) too noisy!
2) Doesn’t fit into the urban landscape
3) The low frequency hum destroys my brain
4) It’ll kill the birds
5) Cant build a structure over 2 meters without going through a expansive (expensive) environmental impact statement.
6) Your stealing the neighbours air.
With tongue firmly in cheek!
What is the expected cost of the unit and estimated installation costs?
Re posting from E A f/b group, Patented the blades yet? It seems to capture a vortex-like air lift and should be highly adaptable to hot dry sites close to the ground. Note: The protruding bolt ends under the top bar spoiling the spin. Fix asap!
It’s now time to introduce Peter Reith to the technology for assessment. Remember the canoe comment??