Presented By:

Ammar Anwar

University of Engineering & Technology,

Lahore.

MARS (MAGENN AIR ROTOR SYSTEM)

INTRODUCTION

• MARS is a lighter-than-air tethered wind turbine that

rotates about a horizontal axis in response to wind,

generating electrical energy.

• This electrical energy is transferred down the 1000-foot

tether for immediate use, or to a set of batteries for later

use, or to the power grid.

• Helium sustains MARS and allows it to ascend to a

higher altitude than traditional wind turbines.

HISTORY

Fred Ferguson (founder of Magenn Power)

patented the Magnus Airship in the 1980s.

It won the Canadian Government Award of

Excellence in 1984. And the Philip Petroleum

Award for Science 1985.

Magenn Power has built and tested several

small MARS prototypes in 2006, and 2007.

COMPONENTS

Balloon

Generator

Wind Vane Stabilizer

Ropes or Wires

Wind Vane stabilizers are used on both sides of the axis to keep

the device stabilized, and positioned within a very controlled and

restricted location

BALLOON, ROPES / WIRES

WORKING

The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity. Utility-scale turbines range in size from 50 to 750 kilowatts.

The wind rotates the turbine at a speed of 30 to 60 rpm.

A reduction gear box is provided to increase the speed to 1200 to 1500 rpm for the generator to produce electricity.

The wind turns the turbine which spins the generator and the electricity is generated.

This electricity is sent to ground by the tether and can be consumed readily, stored in batteries for later use or can be supplied to grid.

LIFTING MECHANISM

The Helium gas creates a lift force that is in excess of the

total weight of the system. The helium provides at least

twice the positive lift versus the overall weight of the

MARS unit.

Additional lift is also created when the rotor is spinning in

a wind. The aerodynamic effect that produces additional

lift is called the Magnus Effect.

Magnus Effect: This effect was discovered in mid-1800’s

that creates lift when a spherical or cylindrical object is

spun while moving in a fluid.

MARS 100kW Performance Specifications

Magenn Power Product Model 100kW

Rated Power 101,000 Watts

Size (Diameter x Length) 45 ft x 100 ft (plus blade height of 22 ft each)

Shipping Weight Under 13,000 lbs

Volume of Helium 200,000 cubic feet

Tether Height 750 ft standard - up to 1,500 ft optional tether length

Start-up Wind Speed 2.5 m/sec - 5.6 mph

Cut-in Wind Speed 3.0 m/sec - 6.7 mph

Rated Wind Speed 12.0 m/sec - 26.8 mph

Cut-out Wind Speed 24.0 m/sec - 53.7 mph

Maximum Wind Speed 30.0 m/sec - 67.1 mph

Temperature Range -40¼C /-40¼F to +45¼C/+113¼F

Generators 100 kW Total

Output Form 380 V 3 Phase 50 Hz, 480 & 600 V 3 Phase 60 Hz or Regulated

DC

Warranty One Year

Life Cycle 10 to 15 Years

Price (USD) (Estimated) $500,000 USD

Availability 2010-2011 (taking orders now)

Extensive Infrastructure

Greater handling and

transportation costs

Location specific

installation

Transmission losses

2-d blades

Cost factor

No Extensive setup

Less Noise

Lower handling and

transportation costs

Installed anywhere at all,

no location constraints

Lower transmission loss

3-d balloon

40-50% cheaper energy

ADVANTAGES OVER WIND TURBINE

APPLICATION

LIMITATIONS

MARS units cannot be installed within five miles of the boundary of any airport.

Initial cost is high.

Helium gas leaks at a rate of 0.5 percent per month. The drawback of the technology is that the balloon has to be re-filled with helium every 6 months, seeing as the gas leaks.

Another disadvantage of floating windmills is that they have to be taken down in extremely powerful winds, whereas common wind turbines are simply shut down.

CONCLUSION

This Kind of technology can reduce our Dependencies

on Fossil Fuels which are Depleting at a rapid rate.

As there is no Pollution in this system Green Energy can

be produced which can reduce green house gases.

As it can be near Demand centers cost on Power lines is

reduces

If this technology is implemented it can eliminate power

problems of all Nations in coming years.