The culmination of a 12 year R&D path has resulted in a wind power generation system that provides solid solutions to the two major wind project roadblocks: 'tower height' and 'lower wind resource.' With an overall unit height of 80 feet or less (most wind law zoning ordinances restrict towers above 100 feet), the Multi-Axis Turbo system (MAT) and MMW Augmenter (patent pending) combine to create a wind power generation technology that affords profitable electricity production at sites with lower wind speeds, while taking production at high wind sites to peak levels.
Our innovative Augmenter System is the key to our lower wind speed generation capability.
The underlying genius of the MAT technology is based on the concept that 'many small turbines' makes much more sense, from all perspectives, than 'one big turbine.'
This may seem counterintuitive. Yet, from a material standpoint alone, a 'tall tower' wind turbine uses over 10 times as much steel as a MAT unit of similar capabilities. A megawatt sized 'tall tower' has a hub (the 'nacelle') over 200 feet above ground level that contains, quite literally, many hundreds of moving parts. A MAT unit of the same power rating utilizes only a fraction of this number of moving parts. In addition, the MAT's geometrically simple configuration of small turbines arrayed on multiple axes dramatically reduces blade costs, while minimizing and dissipating forces of stress and vibration that quickly degrade large turbines and their generation equipment.
By positioning the MAT turbine blades in this proprietary arrangement, the harvesting of the mechanical power in the wind and its transfer to the generators is accomplished with tremendous efficiency, resulting in higher electricity production. This innovative design allows for all of the MAT's generation and electronic components to be situated close to ground level, reducing structural complexity, construction costs and slashing maintenance expenses.
Scalable from 10 kW 'home and farm' systems to multi megawatt utility installations, the MAT's versatility extends to two distinct turbine and generator configurations designed to address the unique requirements of both lower and higher wind speed sites. At lower wind speed sites, 'H' and 'C' rotor turbines are paired with lower rpm PMGs (permanent magnet generators). MAT's sited in higher-level wind resources are fitted with Darrieus type rotors that drive higher rpm induction motors. These specialized 'high and low' turbine and power drive designs enable the MAT to fully exploit the potential of both types of wind regimes.
The MMW Augmenter can be customized to address unique site characteristics, taking maximum advantage of each location's individual wind resource. From unit orientation and specialized structural adjustments, to spatial and relational ratios of the Augmenter's wind focusing chambers, each installation is crafted to extract the full energy potential from the site's wind stream. A proprietary aerodynamic software application 'places' a standard MAT unit on a computational model of the physical site and simulations are run, utilizing the site's historical wind data, to optimize the Augmenter's embodiment.
The MAT and MMW Augmenter are a 21st century wind technologies that combine to provide an innovative solution; a wind energy system that's easily sited where other vendor's equipment is either prohibited or will not operate profitably. For wind power developers facing 'project stopping' challenges, the MAT technology provides a new path to success and the promise of decades of productivity and profitability.
Picture of large and small augmented wind power systems under construction
Side View of Larger Prototype Augmented Wind Power System
Side View of Small Prototype Augmenter for Wind Power
The Diffuser Section of the Augmented Wind Power Unit
A view of the blades inside the augmenter. The production wind power units will have horizontal (propeller) blades
A closer view of the blades with the air straightening section in the background
Mass Megawatts has constructed a wind tunnel for gathering data for power output of different blade designs using a range of controlled wind speeds. A MAT prototype has also been constructed in Charlton, Massachusetts, and has been operational since the fourth quarter of 2001.
Click on the photos below to view larger images of our wind tunnel testing facility and to view the current MAT prototype running in Charlton, MA.
