3 ms·
This is a really elegant solution. One concern is that the increased wind drag may cause the incidence of downed power lines in storms. They would have to do s
by TrevorJ 17y ago
This is a really elegant solution. One concern is that the increased wind drag may cause the incidence of downed power lines in storms. They would have to do some studies on long-term stability in high winds.
The other thing I wonder about is that becasue high-tension wires form catenary curves between the towers, would the turbines cause the cable to begin to swing, and in some conditions possible get close enough to the adjacent cable to arc and short out?
- electromagnetic 17y agoCables are separated regularly on long stretches of cable. I've seen separators on all kinds of power cables, so I doubt shorting out would be a serious problem, however the cables reaching a harmonic might be a problem. Suspension bridges can be brought down by wind, so when you start attaching multiple cables into one unified body with high drag, you're going to begin risking a wind-induced harmonic taking out your power lines. It's a good idea, I doubt they'll replace power plants, but they're likely to be far more useful and practical than their windturbine brethren due to the sheer fact that they may be able to make the construction of power cables profitable in themselves. Instead of costing for maintenance and the average 7% drain of long distance power cables, using this style of wind turbine could turn existing power cables into profit or at least give them a break-even potential.