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13/04/2006
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Tom Shelley reports on a way of harvesting wind energy in a redesigned house roof
By giving a house a raised roof with a hole in the middle, retired Harwell engineer Tom Robertson has come up with a novel method of harvesting wind energy and turning it directly into useful heat.
The idea is that wind blowing against the house will naturally enter under the raised eves of the house and pass upwards through the hole, aided by suction caused by wind passing over the raised apex of the roof. This issuing air is used to turn a wide diameter turbine connected to paddles placed in a water tank beneath it. The act of the paddles churning the water will heat it.
The idea has been tested in an eight foot high model house in the inventor's garden, which has been used to investigate various flap configurations and changes to eave overhangs. He says that "A university" has expressed an interest in the possibility of using the idea as a basis for a PhD research project and is presently preparing a cost estimated for grant application purposes.
Unlike conventional wind turbines, the device runs completely silent and is inherently protected from possible damage from storms and lightning strikes.
The idea is patented and available for licence.
Robertson and Leaman
Hidden Wind Power
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Author
Tom Shelley
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