Researchers from the Distance University of Madrid and Mision Critica-Data Center in Columbia have developed a novel methodology to capture and convert wasted wind energy into electricity. Wind power generated by various technologies, such as air conditioning systems, can now be harnessed to produce clean, renewable energy. This innovative approach offers a promising solution to reduce energy waste and increase the efficiency of various industries.
Harnessing the Power of Synthetic Wind
The research team, led by Isabel Gil-García, Ana Fernández-Guillamón and Álvaro Montes-Torres noted that wind power generation has many untapped sources to produce electricity. Considering Ships, trains, HVAC systems or cooling fans in data centers to man-made wind sources can be generated from the air movements which are generally wasted.
To solve this problem, the researchers created a single methodology that first identifies and measures all kinds of these man-made wind sources and then how to capture their energy. The process begins with a potential source such as a server farm or industrial site, and an anemometer to measure the wind speed. That data is combined and used to calculate how much electrical power could theoretically be generated from this wasted wind.
Applying the Methodological Approach Offers
To prove the efficacy of their method, the research team targeted a Columbia datacentre that featured three large chillers, each with eight high-speed fans and designed to cool the computer equipment. Brains Way To Electricity With Their 6Small Tesup V7 Wind Turbines, Placed Assembled Above The Fans283Commencing The Six Units They Were Capable Sounds276.82 MWh In Each Year
The energy generation of the wind turbines caused a net annual electricity generation at the same location as even after allowing for the power consumed by the fans is 467.6 MWh, You are talking about decreasing the dependency of data center on a grid and also contributes in overall sustainability approaches.
Small-scale winds future
The success of this project demonstrates clearly the strong potential distributed wind systems have in collecting otherwise wasted energy and adding valuable generation resources to help address our shared energies dilemma. This type of work is valuable for the global drive to reduce our carbon footprint and increase efficiency in energy usage.
The next step for the researchers is to apply their method in a variety of industries and environments leading the way to even greater access to clean-energy sourced from man-made wind, taking us one-step closer towards truly sustainable power. In doing so, this approach not only saves energy, but also shows how combined effort and thinking from different disciplines are needed in finding solutions to drewling environmental consequence.
