Nottingham Trent University helps develop new wind turbine
A new type of wind turbine is being developed by Nottingham Trent University for a Derbyshire inventor.
Designer Heath Evdemon said the Wind Harvester would be able to make power from low and high wind speeds, unlike current turbines.
Most traditional three-blade turbines generate energy from wind speeds between about 30mph to 50mph.
A large-scale fully working model is expected to be installed in the Derbyshire Peak District.
Mr Evdemon said because all the points on the aerofoils of the Wind Harvester would move at the same velocity, the turbine could operate in low and high wind speeds.
"Aerofoils on traditional wind turbines have different velocities at different points based on their distance from the centre of rotation," he said.
"Hence the tip of the aerofoil moves at a considerably higher velocity which makes it difficult for traditional systems to operate in strong wind at high wind speeds."
Mr Evdemon, founder of Wind Power Innovations Ltd, said he was looking for sites within the Peak District National Park before turning his attention to industry.
"It's a product which could one day be rolled out to farms working towards becoming carbon neutral and homeowners looking for a cheap and sustainable source of power," he said.
Debra Easter, from the university, said: "We're very excited to be helping Heath realise his dream and potentially change the face of wind power."