JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #49 - June 2009 - 48

FEATURE “Wind Energy” An innovative composite wind turbine: for homeowners and professionals Nheolis has developed and now commercializes a revolutionary wind turbine for homeowners and professionals. Thanks to its innovative design, this technology optimizes the use of wind energy and provides a long-term answer to energy needs. The blades’ unique shape fully exploits the air-flow kinetic energy for unequalled energy production. heolis was incorporated in France in early 2006 for commercializing a cutting-edge technology for wind power generation, with initial applications in the form of small wind turbines (SWT). This technology is available for both on-grid and off-grid applications. The Nheowind turbines yield 2 to 3 times higher electric output than traditional wind turbines with a similar rotor diameter. N Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment) for the research on the wind turbine’s vibrational mechanics with a view to integrating it into buildings. Nheolis secured its innovation by filing for French and Focus The Team The venture is the endeavour of a small, experienced techno-commercial team led by Mr N. Haddjeri (chairman), who has a background in sales and industrial marketing. Mr Haddjeri founded Nheolis in December 2005, after identifying the potential of the Bernoulli principle when applied to wind power. For the last four years, he has invested his own time and money to bring Nheolis’ revolutionary design and technology ready to the market. The company is also supported by Mr Lassus, CEO & founder of Gemplus (the world's leading manufacturer of smart cards), Cassis International & Mobiztech (Singapore), who is committed full-time to the project as a strategic advisor. Patrick Jacquouton joined Nheolis as chief technology officer (CTO). This engineer brought 23 years of experience as a product manager acquired at Cybernetix (a French leader in robotics). Jean-Yves Triviere, chief financial officer (CFO), former chairman and CFO of Siemens Process Instruments, has commercial and financial skills that he has developed over 20 years. Olivier Farvacque, engineer, joined as chief operating officer (COO). Mr Farvacque was in charge of development and industrialization in aeronautical (Sextant Avionique), automotive (Valeo, Eaton) and mechanical companies (Saunier Duval) for 20 years. Innovative technology Nheolis' patented technology capitalizes on Bernoulli's principle, which governs the conservation of energy in fluid dynamics. In this case, the phenomenon observed is comparable to that obtained by squeezing a garden hose, which accelerates the flow of water at the mouth of the hose. Nheolis’ new wind-turbine design applies this phenomenon for the first time to windgenerated air flows. The wind turbine is equipped with semi-conically shaped blades designed with a specific profile that rotate around an horizontal axis. The blades can be oriented along two deflection angles, leading to a much more efficient use of the air-flow kinetic energy. It took more than three years of research to validate this technological breakthrough scientifically. Studies conducted in a wind tunnel showed the following innovation characteristics: a much higher energy efficiency than standard wind turbines with rotors of similar diameter; a broad range of use at wind speeds from 2.5 to 45 m/s; and much lower production and installation costs compared to the standard systems found on the market. Securing the innovation To develop the project, the Nheolis team established partnerships with French national aerospace research centre ONERA for the aerodynamic modelling studies, French scientific research centre CNRS for the subsonic wind-tunnel tests, and European technical approval agency CSTB (Centre 48 jec composites magazine / No49 June 2009

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #49 - June 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #49 - June 2009