Bladeless wind turbines may soon offer a quieter and more compact way to generate clean energy, thanks to new research from engineers at the University of Glasgow.
Using advanced computer simulations, the team has discovered how to design bladeless wind turbines—known as BWTs—for the best combination of power and stability.
Unlike traditional wind turbines, which use spinning blades to turn wind into electricity, BWTs are tall, slim structures that sway back and forth in the wind, much like lampposts in a storm.
This swaying motion is caused by vortex-induced vibration—when swirling air currents rock the turbine at just the right frequency, the movement grows stronger and can be turned into usable energy.
These bladeless designs are still in early development and haven’t been widely used yet.
But this new study, published in the journal Renewable Energy, could help move BWTs from small experimental setups to real sources of electricity for homes and even the power grid.
The researchers tested thousands of BWT design variations using computer models. They looked at how different shapes and sizes perform in wind speeds ranging from 20 to 70 miles per hour.
Their goal was to find a “sweet spot” where the turbine could create the most electricity without being at risk of breaking in strong winds.
The ideal design turned out to be a mast that is 80 centimeters tall and 65 centimeters wide. This version could safely produce up to 460 watts of electricity—more than four times what the best existing prototypes have achieved. While some other designs could generate as much as 600 watts, they would likely collapse under stress in real-world conditions.
Dr. Wrik Mallik, one of the lead researchers, explained that the most efficient design isn’t necessarily the one that produces the most power. Instead, it’s the one that balances power and strength. This discovery could help engineers create bladeless turbines that last longer and perform better.
BWTs have several advantages over traditional wind turbines. They are smaller, quieter, easier to maintain, and safer for wildlife. These features make them especially useful in cities and other places where space and noise are concerns.
Professor Sondipon Adhikari, another lead researcher, hopes this study will encourage companies to build better BWT prototypes based on these findings. The team is also looking into using special materials, known as metamaterials, to improve the performance of future BWTs.
With further research, BWTs could become an important part of the global shift toward cleaner, more sustainable energy.
