nir-vana innovation network

A Korean SME, an energy R&D company based in Seoul, has created a new energy technology that overcomes the limitations of existing renewable energy technologies to respond to the climate change. As the world is currently facing climate crisis, innovative energy technologies and related industries are being in the limelight. However, the company have identified several issues in the existing wind power system:
1) Inefficient use of wind
2) Noise, vibration, opposition by residents
3) Frequent failures
4) Bird strikes
5) Low economic feasibility.

The company has been able to address each of these issues with their technology. They have developed a very new type of system, ‘Augmented Wind-based Decentralized Energy Resource’: a power generation system to produce & supply power by the use of renewables.
This technology differentiates itself from the existing wind power system – the product is suitable for installation in downtown, on building tops or roofs, or even remote locations. The upper and lower parts of the tower can be used for various functions such as EV(electric vehicles) charging stations, smart farms, power transmission towers – with high economic efficiency.

The company employs the stacked tower. Generation turbine is installed at the center of each floor of the stacked tower. As such, it is possible to increase generation efficiency by 4 times. This is possible by increasing wind speed (Bernoulli’s theorem) and by changing the turbulent flow of the wind to laminar flow.

The innovations in this technology are as follows:
1) Stacked tower
: Electricity is generated by towers that are built with divided floors. Towers can be installed depending on the capacity by their purpose. It is possible to repair only the malfunctioning floor, while operating other floors. Solar panels can be put on top and sides. It has a low chance of birds striking due to visible towers. Lower floors can be used for various purposes.

2) Better utilization of winds
: The structure of the system is based on Bernoulli principle;
I. Wind becomes faster entering the tower.
ii. It can utilize slower winds as well.
iii. Larger energy is produced with the same-speed wind.
iv. Turbulent flows become laminar flows on entering

3) Robust structure
: Turbines are fastened up and down, which results in low vibration and noise. It is also able to generate power with strong winds, having a low failure rate.

The firm is willing to have joint business partnerships with local partner companies in Europe. Also, they are looking for partners that can provide financial support or license agreements.

Advantages & innovations

Compared to solar energy and the existing wind farm system, the technology has benefits in terms of electricity productivity, amount of land used, and economic feasibility. Following are the main features: 1) High power production : Approximately 4 times higher than conventional standalone type. 2) Small footprint : Generators need 1/80 amount of space than the existing ones since they are a tower type 3) Value-added revenues from the rooftop and lower floors. : Solar panels, billboards, observatories, cable cars, etc can be installed on the rooftop 4) Low O&M Cost (Operation & Maintenance Cost) : less than 1/10 of existing VAWT. 5) Ready to grid-tie, No required power transmission facilities.

Stage of development

Concept stage

Partner sought

The Korean SME is interested in having joint business with local partner ventures in the industries as: Smart City, Zero Energy Building, Town House, Golf Club House, Resortel, Beach Hotel, Observatory & Advertisement Tower, Convenience Facilities, Shopping centre, Eco-friendly Vertical Farming, Microgrid, E- mobility, EV charging station, Autonomous Car, EV &HV, Renewable Energy. The company is also looking for partnerships under license agreements, financial supports.