The U.S. Army plans on testing a mobile wind turbine to power communications equipment. The mobile trailer mounted wind turbine will be tested an army facility in Maryland. 
WindTamer, a Rochester, NY based company developed a 1-kilowatt unit for the military. The unit is mounted on a mobile trailer and looks like a megaphone. WindTamer’s design is unique in its ability to channel the wind through a shroud to increase the efficiency of the turbine. WindTamer’s turbines collect wind through a housing that fits around fan blades. When wind passes through the “shroud” fitted around the blades, it creates a pulling effect to draw more air and generate more electricity, according to the company. The design makes putting wind turbines in less windy places more practical, since most small wind turbines need a fast wind before they begin operating. Using wind generation for military bases has potential because of the high cost, in money and human safety, or transporting fuel for generators. WindTamer is one of a handful of companies trying alternatives to the traditional “open rotor,” three-blade design of wind turbines. The turbine was designed initially to power a single building or a farm, prior to its military application. One of the key features of this turbine is its relatively low profile. This design could gain consumer interest in providing a low profile turbine for homes. The lower height could by pass local ordinances covering building height restrictions. Pricing for the new turbines has not been released. Other companies that have developed similar style turbines are FloDesign Wind Turbines, WindTronics, and OptWind.
Photo: WindTamer Turbine Photo Courtesy: WindTamer
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