wind power

HYmini has revealed its latest renewable energy charging solution at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. This foldable, fully portable contraption includes its own solar panel and wind turbine.

As long as the wind is blowing and the sun is shining the Biscuit will charge two AA batteries stashed inside the frame. The device also includes a USB port for charging other devices via USB cable.

If it looks like a jet engine that's because it uses the same principles. However, this turbine is not expending energy, it's generating energy. Most wind turbines max out at 60 percent efficiency.

The problem is that 40 percent of the wind passes around the blades of the windmill without actually turning the generator and making power. Here comes the FloDesign Wind Turbine to change all of that. By focusing the wind over the blades, it improves efficiency dramatically.

Fresh from Sweden comes a new idea in home energy generation. A unique-looking, quiet windmill called the Energy Ball. The company HomeEnergy has developed the aerodynamics of the Energy Ball to accelerate wind through the rotor and achieve high efficiency renewable power generation.

The device will install with limited space and operate silently at wind speeds as low as 4.5 miles per hour. Perfect for the roof of a private home, the Energy Ball plugs directly into an electrical outlet to contribute power to the household.

The Magenn Power Air Rotor System (MARS) uses helium to float at 400-1000 feet altitude, where the winds have potential to produce double the electrical output over ground based systems. The MARS is portable and generates power as the stationary rotor spins facing the wind.

Prototypes have already flown and a 10-25 kW version is planned for production by 2010. Advantages of the MARS include competitive electricity prices at under 15 cents per kWh. The units are not a threat to birds or bats, and operate extremely quietly. Magenn plans to initially target markets where infrastructure

This video has been circulating on the internet, hopefully it doesn't turn anybody off to wind power. This took place in Denmark, hopefully in a non-residential area...

Apparently the turbine is supposed to shut down in such strong winds but failed to do so this time. Two engineers were working on it just before it blew apart, but were able to get away in time. A 19 meter

Beluga SkySails, a ship that is the result of a cooperative effort between two German companies, embarked on its maiden voyage today. During its journey to Venezuala, the 10,000 ton ship will be partly powered by a giant sail that rises up to 300 meters, where there are stronger winds. The computer

guided kite will allow the ship to reduce its daily fuel consumption by up to 20 percent, thus reducing