New super efficient wind turbine prototype for Sweden

The Energy Ball is a slick, silent, and efficient wind turbine that can create usable energy from even light winds. The main factor contributing to the success of the Energy Ball design is the use of the Venturi effect. The Venturi effect occurs when an “incompressible fluid flows through a constricted section,” this results in the production of increased kinetic energy. Home Energy is the Swedish Company responsible for the application of this effect to the Energy Ball. Another contributing factor to the efficiency of this model is the rotating shaft is parallel with the wind direction making it more aerodynamic. Through the use of 6 curved blades that form a sphere while in motion the Energy Ball is geared to be an ideal energy source for small scale use.

See more on the Energy Ball at GreenUPGRADER

I am interested in information on the energy-ball-turbine, made by the Home Energy Swedish Company.  Please post information and my contact on this forum so that I can correspond with them.  Thanks in advance for your help.  JohnWahlsten

Unfortunately it looks like the HomeEnergy website is only available in Swedish (which is certainly not a language I for one speak).  But Google translations are pretty reasonable.

From that, I gather that the Energy Ball was designed to harness aerodynamics to generate energy from the rotating sphere.

Roughly translating the Technical Specs description, the site says:

Rotor design allows the Energy Ball to begin supplying energy at wind power as low as 2 m/s. The Energy Ball V100 has a rotor diameter of 110 cm and can be easily installed on a ceiling or mounted on a mast. An Energy Ball V200 with a rotor diameter of 198 cm can manage up to 50% of normal household electricity needs.

The Energy Ball is completely silent. It does not interfere with any other electronic devices. Its unique and patented design offers superior efficiency with its rotor diameter.

In terms of installation, it looks like it can be set up on a stand-alone mast, either attached to a roof or set up directly on the ground.  It looks like a plug-n-produce device for the most part and the site says that a typical installation takes only 2 people and about 4-6 hours (but it does look like Home Energy staff set up the unit...it's not a DIY project).

Here's one more picture of the Energy Ball attached to a roof:

It's pretty small actually...and man, if it can generate about 50% of the electricity needed for a (typical Swedish) single family home...sign me up!

Haha....oh man.  Typical.  I go through and mess around with the Swedish version of the website...

Well, apparently there is an English version.  It doesn't describe everything as fully as the Swedish version (or the translated Swedish version), but it's not bad.  It does have some more specific numbers on rated power, the rotor size, etc.

You can also find the Home Energy Americas website here.  They are the exclusive distributor of Home Energy products in North America (looks like they're based in Texas).

Is there any word on when it'll be available in the US?

I heard back from the manager/CEO of Home Energy Americas.  Apparently they'll be available in the US come the fall.

Yes, this Fall.

Please refer to our website: http://www.homeenergyamericas.com/ for all information available to the public.  Due to the complexities of construction, placement, and electrical considerations, you will need to consult an authorized and certified HEA distributor or dealer/installer.  We are in the process of establishing and training these companies and individuals on a national basis over the next few months. Their names and contact information will appear on our website as they become certified.   You may find the following article interesting and useful.

http://www.livescience.com/environment/080910-pf-energy-ball.html

Thank you for you interest and patience.

looks like this one died a decent & deserved death 

I actually just got a press release emailed to me from Home Energy Americas...

So I guess the Energy Ball is...alive?

It is unfortunately alive it does seem. The docs on their site at present are the same as before.

At the advertised cut in speed (from their site) of 2 m/s the energy output is zero - for both models.

At 5.0 m/s average wind speed which is the best wind speed most places can hope for (from their power curve) shows maybe 20 W per hour or less rated capacity - it is so far down the chart as to be off it. After the 20 Watts per hour multiply the rated capacity by .33 for capacity factor. Guess what you end up with - lots of expense and nothing else.

They look neat - if someone wants a conversation piece on the roof they are great. If anyone thinks they will ever payback or do anything for the overall energy supply - forget it!

Whether it is a ball, a rotor on a tower or a Darieus type - Betz's law applies. The swept area counts - not the shape someone puts into that space. If a company says they can do better than Betz's law they are relying on magic.

In special locations and in particular with a tall tower residential wind is a winner. In general and at roof top level it is worth than useless. The only thing green is what goes into the salesman's wallet.

Informative documents on wind power & in particular small wind power can be found at the sites listed below.

None are sales companies - that is not my intention and I am not associated with any company of any kind. I am retired with no commercial interests at this time. My interest is as a potential consumer. I am positive electricity will become very expensive in years to come. Today it is about 15 cents US per kWh here and will certainly skyrocket.

All home power systems (solar thermal, solar PV, wind) are expensive and before spending many 1000 USD one needs to be well aware of what they are getting into.

1. American Wind Energy Association – many resources including #5 below

http://www.awea.org/resources/resource_library/index.html

2. Small Wind Electric Systems

http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/42005.pdf

3. Wind Turbine Buyers Guide - is super!

http://www.homepower.com/view/?file=HP119_pg34_Sagrillo

4. Apples & Oranges – Choosing a Home-Size Wind Generator 

http://renewwisconsin.org/wind/Toolbox-Homeowners/Apples%20and%20Oranges.pdf

5. Wind Web Tutorial

http://www.awea.org/faq/index.html

6. Historical wind speeds across the US

http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/avgwind.html

7. Small Wind Turbine Basics - is super & goes over Betz's law

http ://www.otherpower.com/windbasics1.html