US to test Japan’s unique wind turbines that generate power even at 7 mph

The Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) has joined forces with Kanoa Winds Inc., a clean energy company, to bring innovative wind turbine technology from Japan to Hawaii.

This project aims to assess the vertical wind turbine technology’s suitability for the Hawaiian Islands.

“These compact vertical turbines are successfully used in densely populated areas throughout Japan,” said Craig Nakamoto, HCDA Executive Director.

“We are very excited to be collaborating with Kanoa Winds to test this technology’s small but mighty ability to harness the power of wind, for a new alternative to Hawai‘i’s clean energy future,” Nakamoto added.

VCCT offers various benefits

Hawaii is a paradise known for its beauty, but it also faces a challenge – relying heavily on fossil fuels for electricity.

For more than 15 years, Japan has used vertical coaxial contra-rotating twin blades (VCCT) wind turbines. This VCCT technology offers several benefits over conventional horizontal turbines.

VCCT has a unique design with two counter-rotating blades. This enables the wind turbine to churn out power even with gentle breezes and keep going all the way up to strong gusts, making them adaptable to a wider range of wind conditions. Wind speeds vary from 7 to 134 miles per hour, whereas standard horizontal generators can produce electricity only up to 44 miles per hour.

Furthermore, VCCTs are small and vertical, making them appropriate for highly crowded locations. They are also quieter during operations.

Kanoa Winds highlights the VCCT’s safety record in Japan, where birds have even been observed nesting within the turbines.

“The VCCT wind turbines in Japan have been known to have birds nesting within the device, proving the safety and coexistence between the birds and the VCCT technology,” said Kaname Takeya, Kanoa Winds Founder and CEO.

“The prestigious Japan Falconiformes Center has endorsed the technology due to its safety and reliability while having minimal impact on the environment.”

Testing yet to begin

The project is still in its early stages. A small-scale VCCT unit is expected to be installed near the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation Entrepreneur Sandbox for testing. This testing phase will evaluate the turbine ‘s performance, including power output, stability, and environmental effects.

Notably, the unit will be shorter than a streetlight, at around 23 feet tall.

As per the press release , this 0.5-kilowatt test model is expected to generate 10 to 25 kilowatt hours of power each day. In comparison, a typical Oahu island home uses roughly 17 kilowatt hours per day on average.

While awaiting final approvals, Kanoa Winds highlights that the technology is suitable for on-site power generation for homes, businesses, and public buildings. They envision VCCTs powering electric vehicle charging stations, lights, and even cell towers.

With the advancement of technology, a lot of new types of wind turbines have been emerging. One such is contra-rotating floating wind turbines. Norwegian company World Wide Wind (WWW) has been developing this concept, which has a unique floating pontoon design.