Agile Wind Power launches automatic operation of vertical axis wind turbine

(CONNECT) Agile Wind Power says it has reached an important milestone in the development of its innovative vertical 1-megawatt wind turbines with the successful construction of a test facility near Zurich. The 23-metre-high test facility is primarily used to test and optimize the technology under real weather and load conditions. Test runs and measurements have been carried out since October 2024. Automatic operation will start in February 2025.

"With its combination of research, demonstration and optimization, the test facility forms the basis for a new generation of wind turbines," says the company, which is based in Dübendorf near Zurich. It wants to use this technology to "make a significant contribution to a decentralized, environmentally friendly energy supply - especially in regions where conventional wind turbines are not feasible for reasons of acceptance or environmental impact".

The rotors of the Agile Wind Power turbine rotate around the mast instead of around a hub as in conventional wind turbines. With a height of the Vertical Sky turbine in the A40 version of up to 130 meters and a maximum rotor length of 65 meters, the diameter of the turbine is still only 40 meters. The rotors are also said to be particularly quiet.

Last but not least, the test facility is also used for demonstration purposes. According to Agile Wind Power, it will be "used as a key tool to communicate the benefits of the technology" and should thus "contribute significantly to the market launch of 1 MW turbines" for trade and industry.

Agile Wind Power will be presenting its innovative wind turbines at the World Future Energy Summit from January 14 to 16, 2025. The company is one of eight exhibitors in the SWISS Pavilion at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. ce/mm