Measuring

Product testing

Mechanical durability and torques of the new wind turbine were tested with the WS-0,30 model in the Finnish Technical Research Centre in the year 1981. In the year 1988 the same research centre tested the wind turbine again in its ship laboratory and a little later in its engine laboratory. VAWT - Vind Turbin C.O. itself tested the turbine in Åland with an electric motor. At the same time, in 1989-91 the Finnish Army tested WS-4 turbine in the archipelago of Finland. The test lasted continuously 450 days. During this time the energy production was measured with the help of a computer, giving 8 values per second.

An example of computer measuring in the archipelago of Finland in 1989-1991

Generator production in Ah with different wind velocities in the Finnish coast, autumn 1989 - spring 1991. The measuring proves that VAWT - Vind Turbin C.O. Wind Turbines produce energy at least 157 days more per year than the conventional horizontal propeller types.

Already in the tests made in 1981 it was discovered that the vanes of the VAWT - Vind Turbin C.O. turbine do not freeze while rotating. A customer, who uses the WS-0,15 model continuously in Utsjoki, Lappland, made the same discovery in the winter 1993-94: the vanes do not gather snow or ice while rotating, even in conditions in which all the other turbines freeze.

 Despite the excellent testing results, the strongest qualities of the turbine were discovered in the actual production usage. The strongest advantage of VAWT - Vind Turbin C.O. lies in its ability to take advantage of even the lowest wind speeds. The electricity production of Windside begins even with the wind speeds as low as 2-3 m/s, and the bigger the turbine is, the lower wind speed it requires to start. According to measured results, the 3 m/s winds blew during 100 days per year in inland areas. The propeller models based on the traditional aeroplane engineering cannot take advantage of these light winds, usually their production begins at wind speeds of 4-5 m/s, from moving wind. The wind direction is not a significant factor for Windside, either, since the wind catches the spiral-shaped vanes always from the right angle. No automatic, easily broken turning mechanisms are needed.

The studies made in the archipelago show that The VAWT - Vind Turbin C.O. Wind Turbine produces a minimum 30-50 % more electricity per year than other wind turbines with the same swept area. Windside’s efficiency is better, when the wind speed is under 5 m/s. Furthermore, its vertical turbine is able to take advantage of all winds, while stormy winds and the changes in wind direction and turbulence significantly diminish the efficiency of the traditional models.