Scientists develop unique wind energy technology in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL –  Scientists from the UFSCkite group are working on a prototype that replaces conventional towers with a cable and a type of wing is used instead of blades.

According to the project’s coordinator Professor Alexandre Trofino, it is possible to harness wind energy at very high altitudes, which are inaccessible to conventional towers. He says that with the cables, the altitude may reach some 600 meters.

“With the use of cables, the wing can operate at high altitudes, at 600 meters with our technology, where a large number of locations have stronger and more frequent winds.”

In addition to reducing production and installation costs and making renewable energy cheaper, the fauna is also benefited with this new technology.

“With the existing technology it is also possible to detect the arrival of birds and divert the wing operation away from the migration route thereby preventing the death of many birds,” Trofino says.

There are 55 research groups in the world studying this type of wind power generation. The UFSCkite group is pioneer and unique in Latin America. Tests with prototypes are in their final stages. Professor Alexandre Trofino says that investments are crucial to the project’s continuity. The group is seeking partnerships and sees potential to feed the domestic market.

“According to European companies and universities, this technology should reach the market in 5 to 10 years. The question is: are we going to buy or sell this technology once it is on the market? If we want to sell it, the time to invest is now.”

According to the federal government, it is estimated that the use of wind energy as an electric matrix will reach the 17% mark by 2029. It currently stands at approximately 10%.

Brazil depends largely on hydroelectric plants that account for over 2/3 of the country’s energy generation.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error