Resource Efficiency Atlas - Publication Server of the Wuppertal ...

Effects Region and Country
Material
Energy
North America
m2 Water Surface
Canada
fields
Magenn Air Rotor System
600 kW k
500 kW 50 m
42 m
100 kW
50kW 20 m
15 m
2000 kW
80 m
M.A.R.S. System and conventional wind turbines
(Source: ubb based on Magenn)
5000 kW
125 m
100-1000 kW
304 m
1960 1985 1990 1996 2000 2004 2010-2016
Barriers and Risks
Compared to conventional wind turbines, M.A.R.S. can gen-
erate electricity more continuously and reliably, because it
operates in higher altitudes with higher wind speeds. However,
the periodicity problem of air streams at this height
(i.e. jet-streams) caused by, for example, seasons still exists.
Therefore, in order to guarantee a continuous supply of
electricity, a battery or connection to other M.A.R.S. stations
is required.
There is also a risk for the air traffic at those altitudes and,
thus, the M.A.R.S. station itself. Therefore, M.A.R.S. stations
cannot be used in the direct vicinity of airports. The
stations are equipped with a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen)
system, which inform pilots about any changes in the
airspace. Furthermore, the turbines have installed lights
blinking every second. In the case of an emergency, such
as the partition from the tether, the turbine will discharge
the helium automatically. These measures were approved
in Canada, but for the use in other countries an assessment
of the legal basis is required.
Customers have to obtain a permit for installation and use.
They have to buy the helium and battery and also need
to organise the connection on their own. M.A.R.S. offers
only a one year warranty and the maintenance fees add
3 to 7 percent of the station costs annually. In addition,
the helium evaporates at a rate of 6 percent per annum,
requiring a fill-up every 4 to 6 months, which also leads to
extra costs.
Another issue is the energy storage: if the generated energy
cannot be used up directly, then the use of M.A.R.S.
depends strongly on further developments in powerful
and efficient electricity storage systems.
Potentials
M.A.R.S. poses a good alternative for electricity production
in developing countries or rural, less densely populated areas.
It could also be installed on, for example, oil platforms,
mines, islands or be used in agriculture.
The great potential of the wind power stations operating
in high altitudes is demonstrated by a recent study
’’Global Assessment of High-Altitude Wind Power“ by Archer
and Caldeira (2009) concluding that jet-streams have
the potential of producing hundred times more energy
than the actual global demand.
Further information
Archer, Caldeira (2009): Global Assessment of
High-Altitude Wind Power.
Magenn Power, Inc.
105 Schneider Road (Wind Mill Center)
Kanata, Ontario, Canada
K2K 1Y3
www.magenn.com
Ressourceneffizienzatlas
Resource Efficiency Atlas 27