Do You Think This Could Work?

[NYCSavage]

I was looking at efficient ways to power a boat and came across this by accident:
Humdinger Wind Energy

Anyone think it could work? It says it can produce "megawatts" (although I presume you'd need a setup the size of a house for that lol)

[Dsanduril]

Really interesting. I suspect the technology can work, but not sure about on boats. This quote makes me think density is low:

The 1-meter Windcells are designed to work alone or in groups to provide power to lighting, WiFi nodes, micro-base stations, or any situation demanding 0.1 kWh to 1 kWh of energy per month.

A 1-meter unit, running 24/7 to produce between 0.1 kWh and 1 kWh/month? That works out to ~0.14 to 1.4W from the 1-meter cell. Would take on awful lot of those to charge the batteries

[senormechanico]

What about the hum?
I would think that would be a serious factor on a boat.
Also, the motion of the boat might prevent its continuous operation as well.

[Stumble]

Just keep in mind that a 10hp motor is the same power as a 7.5kw motor...

If these things can put out 1kw a month, you would need to mount a huge number of them... Like rediculously huge number.

[Dsanduril]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

What about the hum?
I would think that would be a serious factor on a boat.
Also, the motion of the boat might prevent its continuous operation as well.

I agree, but then my external halyards do this all day and all night when any wind is blowing. Maybe we need to look at just the generating part and see if we could tie it in where the halyard is fixed to the deck while at anchor

[NYCSavage]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

Maybe we need to look at just the generating part and see if we could tie it in where the halyard is fixed to the deck while at anchor

With a bit of sponsorship. i'd be happy to experiment into making this work!

[Dsanduril]

Those aren't my halyards clanging, that's my battery charger doing it's job. Please leave them alone and don't tie them off

[denverd0n]

Interesting concept. COULD they work? Sure. They could. Maybe. Someday. Just not viable right now (nor, probably, for several years).