Google Idea Contest Project 10^100 - Plug-In Wind Power!

Concept: What if you could plug renewable wind energy into the wall just like a blender or a toaster? Instead of using power, a wind appliance actually generates it! Click the video to see how. Mission: A wind appliance for every household Overview: The Jellyfish Wind Appliance is a small 36-inch tall vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) with solid-state controls and a variable-speed induction generator that plugs directly into an existing wall socket and automatically generates power whenever the wind blows. The Jellyfish can be mounted on rooftops or even existing street lights*, and can generate up to 40 kWh per month in moderate winds enough to light an average home using CFLs. With a target price of $400-$500 the Jellyfish is an affordable option for many households and developing communities looking to harness wind power for the first time. Working in tandem with the existing power grid, the Jellyfish enables large-scale distributed-generation, delivering power exactly where its needed and reducing the demand for costly transmission infrastructure. * Street light poles are already pre-wired to the grid, with a tower already in place! Using a proven rotor design that automatically adjusts to wind gusts, the Jellyfish ensures quiet, safe, reliable operation and runs no matter which way the wind is blowing. The elegant helical design combines form and function, allowing it to fit easily into existing urban environments. And because the Jellyfish relies on an induction generator, it can be plugged directly into the existing power grid without special wiring or expensive inverters - you literally just plug it into the wall, anywhere theres power. With only one moving part and no brushes to wear out, its virtually maintenance free, relying on the same proven design found in everyday household appliances. Plus, the anti-islanding features inherent in an induction generator protects local utility workers in the event of a power outage - if the grid shuts down, the Jellyfish immediately stops generating power, again without the need for any special wiring or controls. Problem to Be Solved: While wind power is one of the more cost effective sources of renewable energy available, none of the systems available today are either practical or affordable turn-key systems cost thousands of dollars, are difficult to install and involve significant regulatory oversight. As a result, they lack scale, theres no killer energy app out there until now. To be clear, installing a small wind appliance isnt about being able to meet a households entire energy needs (though every kW helps). By developing an affordable wind appliance that is quiet, reliable, safe and that anyone can install, you have the potential to enable distributed-generation of unprecedented scale (imagine, a wind appliance for every household) along with the tangible benefits that come with distributed-generation: lower prices, increased system reliability, reduced transmission and distribution infrastructure, etc. Who Benefits: Given its affordability and ease of use, virtually anyone on the planet connected to a power grid, local community power distribution network or even an off-grid system would benefit by installing an energy appliance all thats needed is a wall socket to plug it into. Its the simplicity of this approach, especially in developing communities that rely on renewable sources for power and need to keep cost per kilowatt low. Plugging an affordable energy appliance into an existing wall socket or extension cord couldnt be easier you pick one up at Costco, a department store or local supply depot and have it up and running that afternoon, almost as easy as putting up outdoor lights. Globally, we all benefit by having a greener environment and generating clean renewable power, especially if you can enable that same unprecedented scale in emerging and developing economies.

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YouTube | October 13, 2008

Tags:. .idea. .controls. .actually. .developing. .wall