Endorsements

“Lux uses a unique cable tensioned vertical axis rotor, which can reduce stress on the blades by providing intermediate support points.   This can result in smaller blade sections and a lighter rotor, which is very valuable in floating wind turbine applications.  A lighter rotor lowers the C.G. of the floating wind turbine, and can result in a lighter and less expensive floating hull.”

“.... the potential for the application of this technology to the offshore floating wind industry is very promising. In particular, your concept has the potential to excel, if compared with the other offshore wind turbine concepts available, in two of the key aspects driving the design of a floating support structure: a low mass, thanks to its VAWT configuration but also to the innovative tower-less configuration, and a low centre of gravity, thanks to the fact that the major components are located at ground level. In fact, both these qualities enhance the stability of the overall floating system, leading to a smaller, lighter and cheaper floating support structure to satisfy the necessary stability requirements.”

“The Lux wind turbine has advantages in that the six blades provide the turbine rotor with stability as vibrations and torque ripples are minimal and are easily compensated. Use of cables under tension provides additional stability as well as offering very little drag to the system. The resulting construction is easy to manufacture at a reasonable cost. The ground level location of the major mechanical components gives the Lux wind turbine a much lower center of gravity which makes it ideal for mounting on a floating platform, eliminating the need for a costly sea floor anchored tower.”    

“For the past fifteen years, we at Delft University of Technology have been researching and developing Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) technology. We believe that VAWTs are a promising solution for floating offshore wind energy, due to the lower maintenance requirements, lower center of gravity, and increased wind-farm aerodynamic performance and load control. As part of this research, we have worked in several national and international projects, together with academic and industrial partners, including the development of prototypes. The Lux VAWT concept aims at reducing rotor mass, a key point to lower the cost of floating offshore wind. The Lux concept proposes a new approach to how loads are carried through the rotor, with relevant design trade-offs. Because it is a new approach, it would be of great value to the wind energy community to demonstrate this technology with a scaled model. Over the last year we have been cooperating with Lux Wind Turbines towards the development of a demonstrator, providing our experience in the aerodynamics and design of VAWTs. We have done so in a volunteer basis, as we believe that the Lux concept and its demonstration have a significant potential and are worth the investment.”