14 DAY TRIAL // According to Catch the Wind, a Virginia-based company, laser "vision" is the future of wind technology. Their new product, a laser system capable of detecting both horizontal and vertical air movements, can increase productivity by about 10 percent. The company says that the system can be installed with relative ease, and that it's very robust, thus eliminating the risks of it being damaged during storms.
The LIDAR (light detecting and ranging) system the Vindicator is equipped with can help orient the turbine towards the strongest air movement much faster than the generator would do on its own. Most turbines are equipped with sensors that allow them to follow the wind. But the Vindicator system improves on those times by about 20 seconds. And while this may not seem like much, company estimates say that the increase in productivity is significant.
The Vindicator incorporates state-of-the-art technology into its systems, including a fiber optic-based laser module, a processor, a control system interface and a remote lens assembly. These components help orient the turbine towards prevailing winds, eliminating blade "down times" and keeping them rotating at a constant speed. The first models of the system detect wind at about 300 meters (roughly 1,000 feet), but company officials say that, once the technology is better mastered, these ranges will increase.
The Wind Energy Institute of Canada is currently testing the newest invention of Catch the Wind, and the company says that, if all goes well, it plans to start commercialization by 2010. Thus far, there are no price ranges available on their websites, but, most likely, the system won't be available for the population, seeing the kind of technology it incorporates.
Technological advancements continue to bring forth new innovations in the field of renewable energy, especially in regard to wind turbines and solar panels. These industries are constantly expanding, as their power sources will undoubtedly take over fossil fuels in the coming years.