PowerCone

Target SDGs

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Biome Renewables is responsible for implementing and distributing since the product is still a prototype. Networking partner is CanadaCleantech. They help in scaling-up technology and providing exposure.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include KPS Technology, Breezergy Micro Wind Turbine, and Rutland FM910-4 Furlmatic Windcharger.

Regions

Worldwide

Manufacturing/Building Method

Additive manufacturing was used to manufacture the parts from glass fiber composite material. Inspired by the kingfisher and the maple seed, the manufacturer applied fluid dynamic principles and a re-thinking of Betz’ Law to engineer the PowerCone. The product is at the prototype stage.

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

The first prototype was installed in summer of 2019 in Canada by the manufacturer and Carlsun.

Distributions to Date Status

The prototype will be installed at Capstone’s Skyway8 wind farm northeast of Toronto, in partnership with Carlsun.

Design Specifications

The following are design specifications the designers expected to achieve with the PowerCone:

• The impact of the PowerCone® when wind speeds are between 5-6 m/s could increase a turbine’s output by as much as 50%,
• Expected to reduce GHG emissions by 197.8 tons of CO2 (tCO2) per turbine. The net reduction would be 1000 tCO2 (5 turbines over a full year).
• Has a 53% peak aerodynamic efficiency
• 13% increase in annual energy production
• Reduced loads
• Generating less noise

Technical Support

Questions, enquiry are addressed by completing the enquiry form available at the product website. A technical brochure is available for download on Biome Renewables website.

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

It's designed to be an enhancement device that can be fitted to 98% of installed wind turbine worldwide.

Vetted Performance Status

External organizations (Queens University Belfast and Cuan Marine Services) did the testing. 51% Peak aerodynamic efficiency with More than 6% increase to annual energy production and  peak loads reduction by up to 10%  were reported.

Safety

Avoid maintenance or repairing actions when the turbine is rotating.

To prevent injury caused by electric shock, users are advised to handle the system with caution. Only trained personnel are permitted to maintain and operate it.

Safety of handling and other safety associated with wind turbine installation and maintenance.

Complementary Technical Systems

Available by completing the form on the product website.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

IEC 61400-1 standard specifications and is manufactured to ISO 9001:2015 standards to be OEM agnostic.

Evaluation methods

The manufacturer commissioned Glas Ocean Engineering, Alison Mark Consulting, Researchers from Dalhousie University and Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), to analyze the PowerCone as a tidal current turbine and investigated new materials for use in tidal turbines.

Other Information

The retrofit is adaptable to tidal turbines