Bigger Is Better? Not Always for Wind Turbines

Photo credit: Flower Turbines 

The following post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzinga’s in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga.

Wind turbines, those large structures we see from the highway, seem to be a highly debated topic nowadays. Many companies like Siemens AG SIEGY, Vestas Wind Systems AS ADR VWDRY, and General Electric Company GE have worked to manufacture these structures to help power a cleaner world.

Yet the focus on small turbines is missing, according to Flower Turbines, Inc. This company claims that small turbines are not only sustainable but will fill an important role in the clean energy transition worldwide. 

People claim that larger turbines have killed wildlife flying into their moving blades, the noise can be disruptive, and they are far from where the energy is used, problems that don’t exist with Flower Turbines’ products.

While they generate overall less energy than their larger counterparts, small wind turbines are actually accessible in cost  and more versatile. Their size makes them attractive for locations of limited space especially close to people and buildings, whether in a rural Midwest mall or on the top of a commercial apartment building. In addition, they are used for generating local electricity in synergy with solar panels. The combination of solar and wind, with their strengths at different times of the day and year, reduces the need for expensive and toxic batteries. In comparison with large wind, Flower Turbines provide energy at the point of use, and in some cases that could be cheaper than the grid cost. Even if it’s not cheaper than grid cost, local production has the advantage of resiliency—that it can operate even if the grid goes down.

Flower Turbines has created wind turbines that are not only quieter according to a third party test but also more efficient than other small turbines in their class. Their design has refined the air space in the middle of Savonius-type turbines to attempt to be “just right” so that after the wind enters the turbine and hits the first blade, it also reverses direction and hits the second blade at high velocity. In Flower Turbines’ words, it is “2 for the price of 1!” This bumps its efficiency to 30% at even small sizes, as opposed to typical drag vertical axis turbines’ 7% to 10% efficiency. They also start at 1.2 meters per second, while other wind turbines start at 3 meters per second.

In addition, other turbines cannot be placed near each other because they interfere aerodynamically. Not Flower Turbines’ wind turbines, which actually make their neighbor’s turbines perform better at a specific distance in a cluster effect. The company sees this as a game changer, because it improves cost effectiveness when installing them as a tightly knit group.

Its models come in a variety of sizes for optimum use. The company says its small model, with blades 1 meter high and half a meter wide, is perfect for campers and off-grid needs. They are planning to make it available after more testing for a combination with solar for rooftop use. The medium model with blades 2 meters high and 1 meter in diameter is the most popular model and is available in multiple colors, blending in with the environment while also helping to reduce the carbon footprint of its users. The largest model has blades 5 meters high, for malls, parking lots, schools, etc., and includes a 5-kilowatt generator. 

Shaped like tulips, the turbines look like works of art on their own, dancing in the wind while generating sustainable energy all around them. Maybe it’s true: bigger is not always better in the world of wind turbines.

Flower Turbines has a live Reg A+ equity crowdfunding offering that ends on Dec. 30 and has raised $6M+ from 3,000+ investors. Check out its mission to become a large global renewable energy company here: https://www.startengine.com/flowerturbines  

The preceding post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzinga’s in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga. Although the piece is not and should not be construed as editorial content, the sponsored content team works to ensure that any and all information contained within is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge and research. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.

Offering Circular: https://rebrand.ly/Offering-Circular-Flower-Turbines

Offering Circular Supplement: https://rebrand.ly/OCS-Flower-Turbines

Related Risks: https://rebrand.ly/Risks-Flower-Turbines

You should read the Offering Circular and risks related to this offering before investing. This Reg. A+ offering is made available through StartEngine Primary, LLC, member FINRA (https://rebrand.ly/dch89aj) / SIPC (https://rebrand.ly/se1rxi0). This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. In addition, as described in the Offering Circular, the Company retains the right to continue the offering beyond the Termination Date, in its sole discretion.