‘Bird Safe’ Helix Wind Turbine Excites Enthusiasm and Skepticism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9flSPAdOLk

It sure looks cool.

Helixwind’s manufacturer says it works at lower altitudes, is less of an eyesore, and is more bird-friendly than standard turbine designs, but many blog posters are demanding more hard data  before falling in love with the design. We’d suggest some research at  the AWEA site (you didn’t know that stands for the American Wind Energy Association?) before signing any purchase orders. 

The company has recently posted some PDFs containing more detailed specifications.

T. Boone Pickens Explains his Plan

Not since Ross Perot’s quirky 1992 presidential bid have we been as impressed by an elderly Texan billionaire writing on a whiteboard. This video is worth watching for the illustration of the US wind corridor. (For a different map of potential wind resources click here.)

Picken’s company Mesa Power LLP has put it’s money where his mouth is, making the world’s largest order for wind turbines with GE in 2007, scheduled for delivery in 2010 or 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpQa-ibNOKM