These Bladeless Wind ‘Turbines’ Use Vibrations to Generate Power On and Off-Grid

Let me introduce you to Vortex Bladeless, “a vortex-induced vibration resonant wind generator” that’s minimally invasive to the visual landscape, doesn’t harm wildlife, emits less noise, and is autonomous, low-maintenance, and cost-effective. Invented by Vortex Bladeless, Ltd., a Spanish tech start-up that’s flipping the script on clean renewable energy.

Not to be confused with the standard and typically massive windmill turbine, Vortex Bladeless, wind generators don’t have blades or rotate as an ordinary turbine would. They also don’t require a tower. Rather, power is produced from resonant vibrations that are created when wind passes the “turbine” and is deflected into vortices, called Vortex Shedding. This bladeless technology involves a stationary slender vertical cylinder with an elastic rod. This cylinder oscillates on a wind range without gears, brakes, or oil.

Made of resins reinforced with carbon and/or glass fiber, the outer cylinder is very firm yet has the ability to vibrate while remaining anchored to the bottom rod. The top of the cylinder is flexible and has the maximum amplitude of oscillation. The rod’s top supports the mast and its bottom is firmly anchored to the ground.

Based on the phenomenon of aero-elastic resonance, this new spin on wind energy technology is specially designed for on-site generation in residential areas. Versatile, it also functions on-grid, off-grid, or in conjunction with standard solar panels or other generators. Ideally, Vortex Bladeless turbines are set up on rooftops or yards surrounded by open space. They reach their maximum performance at medium wind speeds. So, when it’s set up in an urban environment, the higher it’s placed, the better it will operate. Even if the wind picks up, the turbine will continue to perform at its peak and will adapt accordingly to the wind direction and intensity.