1.

INTRODUCTION

Today more than 80 per cent of the worlds electric power production comes from fossilfuelled plants. As the demand for electricity is forecasted to increase, there is an urgent need
to find new methods to extract electric energy from renewable sources. Renewable electric
energy supply is today one of the highest priorities in many parts of the world.
The Kyoto declaration 1997 and the last agreement at Marrakech 2002 are significant
proof of this. Both the EU and the US have set their targets on future greenhouse emissions.
Hence Renewable Energy Sources are one of future energy producers. Renewable
energy is energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides
and geothermal heat, which are renewable(naturally replenished).
In 2006, about 18% of global final energy consumption came from renewable, with 13%
coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3%
from hydroelectricity. New renewable (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar,
geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for another 2.4% and are growing very rapidly. The
share of renewable in electricity generation is around 18%, with 15% of global electricity
coming from hydroelectricity and 3.4% from new renewable.
Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere
by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth. Wind flow
patterns are modified by the earth's terrain, bodies of water, and vegetation. Humans use this
wind flow, or motion energy, for many purposes: sailing, flying a kite, and even generating
electricity.
Wind power is growing at the rate of 30% annually, with a worldwide installed capacity of
157,900 megawatts (MW) in 2009, and is widely used in Europe, Asia, and the United States.
The terms wind energy or wind power describes the process by which the wind is used to
generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the
wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as
grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into
electricity.

But the Conventional Wind Turbines have the disadvantage of being stuck on the
ground, consequently dependent on the wind passing through their location and they are not
economical. Thus these factors make it unreliable for power production. Hence a new
innovative way of delivering clean renewable energy to the world has evolved i.e.

Airborne Wind Turbine is a new design concept for a wind turbine that is floating in the air
without a tower. Airborne Wind Turbine was designed and developed by Magenn Power,
which is an Ontario based company. It is also called as M.A.R.S (Magenn Air Rotor System).
Airborne Wind Turbines have distinct advantages over existing Conventional Wind
Turbines and Diesel Generating Systems including: global deployment, lower costs, better
operational performance, and greater environmental advantages.
Hence the new kind wind turbine would be useful in fulfilling the future energy demands
with zero emissions.
"There is enough energy in high altitude winds to power civilization 100 times over; and
sooner or later, we're going to learn to tap into the power of winds and use it to run
civilization." Says Ken Caldeira, Professor of Global Ecology at the Carnegie Institution for
Science.

Source: www.wikipedia.org
www.magenn.com

2. TECHNOLOGY
2.1. Working:
The Airborne wind Turbine is lighter-than-air tethered device that rotates about a
horizontal axis in response to wind, efficiently generating clean renewable electrical energy at
a lower cost than all competing systems. When wind rotates the turbine's blades, which in
turn cause an attached generator to also spin. The generator then converts that moving energy
of the wind into electricity using electromagnetic induction. The blades of the MARS turbine
are actually part of the three-dimensional blimp itself. The blades catch the wind, causing the
entire blimp to spin around. After the generator converts that movement into electricity, it's
transferred down the turbine's long tether.

Source: www.wikipedia.org

2.2. How the lift is created?

The lift for the airborne turbine is created due to two reasons. Primarily its due to
buoyant lift i.e. due to helium present in the turbine which is lighter than the air. The amount
of helium present in the airship decides the altitude of operation. The helium provides at least
twice the positive lift versus the overall weight of the MARS unit. The secondary lift is due to
aerodynamic effect or MAGNUS EFFECT. Magnus Effect was discovered in the mid 1800,
which create lift when a spherical or cylindrical object is spun while moving in a fluid. A
dimpled golf ball, hit properly, has a back spin that causes it to lift in flight. A baseball curve
ball pitch uses the Magnus effect. Basically, a back spin causes a low pressure region to form
above the object and high pressure to form below, resulting in lift. A large object like the
Magenn Air Rotor creates substantial lift, so much so that the device should actually work in
a wind, without using a lifting gas.

2.3. Components in Airborne Wind Turbine:

The components in Magenn Air Rotary System are:
1) Bladder:
The bag filled with any gas is called bladder, here the airship is filled with inert gas which
is non-flammable i.e. Helium. Helium is the second most abundant element in the
universe. Helium provides extra lift and will keep MARS at altitude in very low winds or
calm air. It is also plentiful, inexpensive and environmentally safe. Helium's inert quality
over other lifting gases makes it very acceptable. MARS 10kW unit will require slightly
over 32,000 cubic feet of helium. The price of Helium varies from country to country. It
is roughly $0.30 cents per cubic foot. But the helium gas leaks out at a rate of 0.5% per
month or 6% per year; therefore the MARS units will have to be topped up with Helium
every 4 to 6 months. The bladder is made up of Vectran fabric which has high strength,
low elongation properties. The bladder is equipped with a radar reflective material that
will present an echo to surface radar operating in the 200 MHz to 2700 MHz frequency
range. This is useful for ATC (Air Traffic Controller) to identify the Magenn wind rotor, if
they interfere the flight path

2) Sail:
The sail is used to catch the wind and convert kinetic energy into rotational energy. The sail
acts as a blade of airborne wind turbine. The sail is inclined to the rudder at an angle of 60
degree to have more stable rotation. The sails are made up of fabric Vectran with an inner
laminated coating of Mylar to reduce porosity and an exterior coating of Tedlar which will
provide ultra-violet protection, scuff resistance and color. Dacron is used for boat sails, Mylar
in silver toy helium balloons, and Tedlar is the plastic coating found in all-weather house
siding.
3) Tether:
The airborne wind turbine is tied to the winch by the rope made up of Vectran fiber. Tether
keeps the turbine under control and transfers the electricity produced by the generators down.
Vectran is the core of a braided cable tether that is wrapped with copper that can carry
electrical currents. The tether is part of a sophisticated connection system that hooks the
generators on each side of the floating turbine 1,000 feet up in the air where the winds blow
steadily and reliably to the ground below and transfers electricity that can be used
immediately or stored in batteries. Units that operate over 150 feet will have a lighting
system including individual lights that are placed every 50 feet on its tether. The lights will
flash once per second.
4) Generator:
The generator is used to convert rotational energy into electrical energy. There are 2
generators attached to the axle on the either sides. Usually 100kW capacity generators are
used. Which produce the output in 380 V 3 Phase 50 Hz, 480 & 600 V 3 Phase 60 Hz or
Regulated DC.

Source: Hywind floating wind power production.

By Alexandra Bech gjorv oil & energy in2006-05-24
www.magenn.com
www.howstuffworks.com

3. PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
3.1. Performance:
The performance of the Magenn Air Rotary System of 100kW model which is yet to start its
production in late 2010 is given below:
MARS 100kW Performance Specifications
Magenn Power Product

Model 100kW

Rated Power

101,000 Watts

Size (Diameter x Length)

45 ft x 100 ft (plus blade height of 22 ft each)

Shipping Weight

Under 13,000 lbs

Volume of Helium

200,000 cubic feet

Tether Height

750 ft standard - up to 1,500 ft optional tether length

Start-up Wind Speed

2.5 m/sec - 5.6 mph

Cut-in Wind Speed

3.0 m/sec - 6.7 mph

Rated Wind Speed

12.0 m/sec - 26.8 mph

Cut-out Wind Speed

24.0 m/sec - 53.7 mph

Maximum Wind Speed

30.0 m/sec - 67.1 mph

Temperature Range

-40C /-40F to +45C/+113F

Generators

100 kW Total

Output Form

380 V 3 Phase 50 Hz, 480 & 600 V 3 Phase 60 Hz or

Regulated DC

Life Cycle

10 to 15 Years

Source: www.magenn.com

The Performance graph of Power Output Vs Wind Speed of MARS 100kW

model is shown below

3.2. Safety Factors:

Safety is a very important factor in present world; hence Magenn has taken some steps to
ensure the safety of the turbine. Some of them are given below:

Magenn Air Rotor System is equipped with a radar reflective material that will
present an echo to surface radar operating in the 200 MHz to 2700 MHz frequency
range. So that ATC (Air Traffic Controller) to identify the Magenn wind rotor, if they
in interfere flight path.

MARS units that operate over 150 feet will have a lighting system including
individual lights that are placed every 50 feet on its tether. The lights will flash once
per second. This is because any flying object would identify the rope and avoid
damage.

A deflate system (common on all blimps) is an emergency system that would only be
used if for some reason the rotor broke free or other extreme emergency(like high
winds, lightnings etc).

If the MARS unit cut down system does not function properly, it will immediately
notify the nearest ATC facility of the location, time of escape and the estimated flight
path of the balloon.

4. CONVENTIONAL WINDTURBINES VS. AIRBORNE

WINDTURBINES
As we know conventional wind turbines are major source for wind energy production, but
they are having some problems associated with them. They are:
1) Altitude and Efficiency:
The major difference between conventional and airborne wind turbines is the power output
or efficiency. This is due to the altitude of operation of conventional is max. of 328ft. but
airborne works at max. of 1000ft.the below fig. explains it clearly.

In Brookhaven New York the Capacity Factor at 1,000 feet for a MARS high altitude wind
turbine of 100kW is 51% versus 17.1% for a conventional wind turbine of 2MW operating at
328 feet.

Winds at higher levels are significantly faster than low-level winds because they don't
encounter as much resistance from objects on the ground like trees and buildings. Research
shows that with each doubling of elevation, there is a 12 percent increase in wind speed; with
each doubling of wind speed there is an eightfold increase in wind power
2) Cost:
The cost of the conventional wind turbines is very high compared to airborne wind
turbines. This is due to the components like tower; blades etc that conventional wind turbines
need to produce power. But in airborne wind turbines there is no need for tower (as it floats in
the air) and stiff blades are not necessary.
Also the installation cost of conventional wind turbines is high as it needs large cranes to lift
the blades. Constructing and installing conventional wind turbines is a major endeavor often
involving foundation blasting and the transport of heavy equipment. But in the airborne wind
turbines the system needs to be inflated with helium and tethered to winch.
3) Location:
The conventional wind turbines are dependent on the location, means they are dependent on
wind speed flowing through them. As they need perfect location or coastal areas to produce
electricity continuously. But as we can see the fig the wind speed inc. with altitude hence the
airborne wind turbines can be placed anywhere.
The locations of the conventional wind turbines are limited to the high wind blowing areas
only, hence it could not be placed near the power grid therefore the transmission line costs are
very high. But in case of airborne wind turbines as it could be placed almost anywhere hence
it reduces the transmission line costs.

All competing conventional wind generators use bladed two-dimensional disk-like

structures and rigid towers. The Magenn Power Air Rotor system is a closed threedimensional structure (cylinder). It offers high torque, low starting speeds, and superior
overall efficiency thanks to its ability to deploy higher. The closed structure allows
Magenn Power to produce wind rotors from very small to very large sizes at a fraction
of the cost of current wind generators.

Source: www.marinebuzz.com, www.magenn.com

California offshore wind energy potential Michael J.Dvorak article history; Received 20 April 2009,
accepted 10 November 2009

5. ADVANTAGES

Magenn Air Rotary System is less expensive per unit of actual electrical energy output
than competing wind power systems.( under 20 cents per kWh)

Magenn Air Rotary System will deliver time-averaged output much closer to its rated
capacity than the capacity factor typical with conventional designs. Magenn efficiency
will be 25 to 60 percent. This is hugely important, since doubling capacity factor cuts
the cost of each delivered watt by half.

Wind farms can be placed closer to demand centers, reducing transmission line costs
and transmission line loses.

Magenn Air Rotary System is operable between 2 meter/sec and in excess of 28

meters/sec.

Magenn Air Rotary System can be raised to higher altitudes, thus capitalizing on
higher winds aloft. Altitudes from 400-ft to 1,000-ft above ground level are possible,
without having to build an expensive tower, or use a crane to perform maintenance.

Magenn Air Rotary System is mobile and can be easily moved to different locations to
correspond to changing wind patterns. Mobility is also useful in emergency
deployment and disaster relief situations.

The Magenn Air Rotary System is bird and bat friendly.

Magenn Air Rotary System creates lower noise and vibrations.

6. DISADVANTAGES
The only restriction is that Magenn Air Rotary Systems may not operate in controlled
airspace or within five miles of the radius of any airport. So as to avoid interference
with the flight path.
The Magenn Air Rotary System could not operate during bad weather conditions, due
to high wind speeds.
The Magenn Air Rotary System is a new technology hence

7. APPLICATIONS
The application of Magenn Air Rotary Systems are off-grid and mini-grid application;
combined with diesel power for developing nations, island nations, farms, remote areas, cell
towers, exploration equipment, oil and gas wells, mining sites, offshore drilling stations, and
backup power & water pumps. MAGENN rotors could also be used for on-grid applications
for farms, factories, and remote communities.
Some applications are shown here:
Mine Site: It can be deployed temporarily in mining sites for power production.

Source: Responses of Floating wind turbines to wind and Excitation, Master thesis in ocean
engineering, K.H.Lee, Massachusetts Institute of technology, 2005, www.magenn.com

Remote Explorations: For remote explorations it is very useful have power, hence MARS
could provide it, as it could be easily installed and is mobile.

Oil Rigs: The oil rigs could use MARS for producing power as it needs lesser area and is
portable. Here MARS also does not produce any greenhouse gas.

8. CONCLUSION

Electricity plays a very important role in our day to day life with out which our life becomes
miserable. There is a need to preserve as well as develop it using freely available sources for
which wind energy is the best option.
Wind power has the potential to be a source of unlimited, clean, renewable energy of the
future. If we use 20% of wind power to produce electric energy it will satisfy the 6 times the
worlds electricity requirement.

9. REFERENCES
*Hywind floating wind power production.
By Alexandra Bech gjorv oil & energy in2006-05-24
*Responses of Floating wind turbines to wind and Excitation, Master thesis in ocean
engineering, K.H.Lee, Massachhusetts Institute of technology, 2005
*California offshore wind energy potential Michael J.Dvorak article history; Received 20
April 2009, accepted 10 November 2009
*www.magenn.com, Mac Brown, chief operating officer of Ottawa-based Magenn Power
*www.marinebuzz.com
*www.wikipedia.org/airborne wind turbines