Nuclear energy is the cleanest energy in use today, but it has now emerged that the Negev Nuclear Research Center is also active in other fields of cleantech research. Rotem Industries Ltd., the center's civilian technology research arm, which has been active for 15 years, has just unveiled two of the technologies it is currently working on at its park, both in wind turbine generated power. Both are designed to enable Israel, which does not have an exceptionally windy climate, to use mild winds in the day-to-day production of energy. Among the additional products now in the final stages of development at the alternative energy park are a water turbine adapted for use with various pipes, and as a wave power turbine.
Also in operation at Rotem is an innovative wind turbine trial site, in which ten projects are currently underway in solar energy, photovoltaic, and wind energy, among others.
The wind turbine project is a joint venture formed by Rotem and the developer of the technology, Dr. Daniel Farb, founder and CEO of wind turbine technology company Leviathan Energy Inc., founded in 2006. Dr. Farb, an ophthalmologist by profession who immigrated to Israel from the US in 2006, left his original occupation and in recent years, he has been focusing on wind, wave and water technologies.
"The turbine project is a genuine breakthrough as far as what we know about utilizing wind energy, because they were developed specially for wind conditions in Israel and other regions that were unable until now to make proper use of wind energy," says Rotem Industries president and CEO Dan Peer in an exclusive interview with "Globes." The purpose of the wind energy products now being tested at the Rotem Park is to boost the production capacity of wind turbines and enable them to also function at low wind speeds.
The open space at Rotem, combined with strong local winds, enabled the team to conduct a series of preliminary trials, build prototypes, and test them in real conditions. The first of the two products mentioned earlier is the Wind Energizer - a large wind turbine based on a computerized flow dynamics model. Says Peer, "So far all the turbine makers have focused mainly on improving rotor blades and generators, but no one has tackled the energy source - wind."
Dr. Farb adds, "We were able, through the computerized model, to answer the basic question. What sort of structure can be built adjacent to the turbine, in order to channel the wind energy to the most critical spot - the lower rotor blade section - thereby increasing rotor speed, boosting energy production capacity and, indirectly, also reduce turbine maintenance costs?"
According to Dr. Farb, the results in practice have proved superior to those achieved in the model. "In theory, the models showed an average 25% increase in energy output, but in the trials that we have now been conducting for several weeks, we were surprised to see an increase of 35-40% in electricity production, compared with the control turbine, and even more," he says. A spokesperson for Rotem said that a number of international parties had taken an interest in the product, and that talks were now underway on all aspects of a possible collaboration. Rotem is a commercial entity, for all intents and purposes, whose ultimate goal is to sell the technologies developed at its park and make a profit on them.
The other wind turbine product currently under development at Rotem is the Lotus Turbine, and in contrast to the Wind Energizer, which is targeted at the large turbine market, it is a small - four by two and a half meter - vertical axis turbine, which produces electricity at low wind speeds using an aerodynamic flow funnel. The turbine is available in two power generation configurations - 3.5KW and 5KW. Rotem says its energy production capacity is far superior to that of rival products with a similar-sized rotor blade. They also say the Lotus has another critical advantage in its attractive price - $13,000 for a full set. This, claims Dr. Farb, is half the price of other wind turbines with a similar capacity.
Another key advantage of the Lotus is its suitability for use in both rural and urban regions. The turbine got its name, incidentally, from the configuration of its airflow funnel, which is shaped like a lotus flower.
Leviathan recently decided to spin off its large wind turbine activity as a separate company, in which it will a hold a 49% stake, with the rest held by a European strategic partner with a track record of cleantech investment worldwide. The as yet unnamed company, which will be listed in London, will develop, market and sell the turbines, whose efficiency was demonstrated in the pilot at Rotem Park.
The marketing will cover most regions, except India, which remains Leviathan's exclusive market. The strategic partner will invest $8 million in sales and marketing, which will focus initially on the company's principal markets, North America and Europe.
Under the agreement, Leviathan will retain control over production and provision of services at cost plus 10%, and will also receive special payment for R&D activity.
"The agreement we have signed with the strategic partner will enable us to expand globally with significant sales as early as 2009, since the new partner will bring capital, expertise, and extensive know-how in sales, marketing strategy, and financial issues," says Farb.
In April, Leviathan signed a letter of intent for a collaboration worth $50 million with Indian company Maple Leaf India PVT. The collaboration, which is due to begin in 2009, will cover technological improvements to Maple Leaf's existing wind turbine farm, which will supply electricity to 900,000 homes, as well as work on the joint development and implementation of technology for sea wave power generation. The two companies will also collaborate on the production of a home device for producing wind-generated electricity.
Leviathan is also in talks with other wind turbine farms in India.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 16, 2008
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