Adroitly visualized by Loseva Larisa and Emtsov Sergey from Russia and ingeniously designed by Ivan Romanov, this is the wind-solar power generator Horizon. Utilizing the Magnus effect (whereby a spinning object flying in a fluid creates a whirlpool of fluid around itself), this cylindrical device exhibits a streamlined form. This in turn accentuates upon the wind speed and hence also increases the efficiency of the electricity produced.
Basically, the contraption consists of two parts – the wind generator and the solar generator. The wind generator is composed of a shell filled with helium, which is adjustably connected to two symmetrically arranged induction motors, which can generate electricity by the rotating motion. Flanking the cylinder are the circular strips (of 4.2m diameter) of solar panels, which form the solar generator part.
The hollowness of the light weighted device (made lighter by using Helium) allows it to float in the air while taking full advantage of the Magnus effect. As a result, it harnesses wind energy. The ‘windmill’ can be tethered to the ground by fixed wires. According to the designers, the advantages of this device are stability, high efficiency, quietness, mobility and environmental friendliness. While no one can argue with that, the power output of this 20kg device is around a total of 4.7KW.
Source: DesignBoom
