"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
m...
B&Q takes wind turbines off shelves Turbine range withdrawn from sale
after recent survey reveals they don't work as effectively as first
thought

http://www.diyweek.net/news/news.asp?id=11999





This subject has been on my mind for the past 2 days.
All wind turbines seem to be blades mounted vertically on a horizontal
axle/axis.
These can only be 100% efficient if the wind blows directly onto the face of
the blades.

If instead of blades they had the things you see on some wid speed
measurement devices
that have 3 or more cup shaped receptacles on horizontal bars fixed to a
vertical axis.
The wind can hit these assemblies at any angle it chooses with no difference
to the efficiency
of the 'machine'.

I can only conclude that the prevalance of bladed wind turbines means there
is a basic weakness
of the wind-vane method.eg transmission of energy or torque or something
like that.

Anyone got any ideas on this?

Arthur