Breakthrough Achievement in Wind Power Generation

Katrick Technologies has successfully completed the first stage of the Alpha testing phase for their innovative wind power generation technology known as the Wind Panel. The company collaborated with The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to develop this groundbreaking technology, which was then tested at the University of Strathclyde and has shown impressive potential as a game-changing innovation in the greentech industry.

The Wind Panel stands out as the first of its kind in wind power generation, offering a solution to the limitations of traditional wind turbines. Its unique design allows it to capture a wider range of wind speeds and frequencies at lower levels, thanks to channelling ducts containing aerofoils that oscillate independently when exposed to the kinetic energy of the wind. These mechanical oscillations are then converted into energy, making it a highly efficient and effective technology.

Through the partnership with The MTC, the design of the duct was optimised to enhance wind velocity and focus higher speeds onto the aerofoils. This innovative approach enables the Wind Panel to harness energy from gust and ground-effect winds, which are typically missed by rotary turbines.

The University of Strathclyde has validated the technology to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5, and the recent Alpha testing phase was conducted to gather data on the functionality of the technology under its intended operational conditions. The testing involved two test periods in wind tunnels at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub and the University of Strathclyde.

The results of the testing at Silverstone were particularly promising, with a wind speed acceleration of 1.5 times recorded. This demonstrated the prototype’s effective increase of wind speeds and consequently, its potential for energy production. Subsequent testing at the University of Strathclyde involved 51 tests over 80 hours, with the prototype surpassing its design targets for performance.

The prototype was expected to produce between 25 and 40 watts (W) of mechanical power at a wind speed of 12 metres per second (m/s), but it exceeded this target and produced on average 41.1 W at just 10.2 m/s. Additionally, the overall efficiency of the system was measured at 6.85 per cent, a significant improvement on the forecasted results, which anticipated an efficiency of 3.6 – 5.8 per cent.

Looking ahead, Katrick Technologies is now preparing to progress to Stages 2 and 3, which will involve further validation of the technology and the necessary upgrades and optimization to bring it to market. This achievement in wind power generation comes at a crucial time, as the demand for clean electricity continues to rise, and the transition to sustainable energy becomes more urgent.

Key figures involved in the project, such as Steve Nesbitt, Chief Technologist for the Built Environment at MTC, and Cameron Johnstone, Director of the Energy Systems Research Unit at the University of Strathclyde, have expressed their enthusiasm for the innovative technology and their commitment to its commercialisation.

The successful completion of Alpha Stage 1 represents a significant advancement in the development of Katrick Technologies’ Wind Panel. The results from the testing not only verify the functionality of the technology but also exceed the initial targets, highlighting its potential to revolutionise the clean energy sector. As the company continues to collaborate with its partners to optimize and further test the Wind Panel, it moves one step closer to making this groundbreaking technology available to the market.