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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Lyle Spiegel on March 23, 2021, 06:50:06 AM

Title: Balsa demand to go down?
Post by: Lyle Spiegel on March 23, 2021, 06:50:06 AM

I recently read about new wind turbine technology without blades. Hopefully this might reduce use of balsa, improve the supply and reduce price.
Vortex Bladeless Turbine Aims to Reinvent Wind Energy - autoevolution

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/funnily-shaped-vortex-bladeless-turbine-aims-to-reinvent-wind-energy-157827.html

Title: Re: Balsa demand to go down?
Post by: Dan McEntee on March 23, 2021, 07:45:09 AM

  Well, without reading too far into it, that is an idea that make some sense.  Those could be put in large cities where wind velocities can accelerate around buildings and such. A lot would depend on the lobbies for the other monstrosities to keep them protected and in operation.
   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

Title: Re: Balsa demand to go down?
Post by: kevin king on March 23, 2021, 09:34:52 AM

That's good news. Now I don't have to risk making an illegal balsa grow op in my back yard. 😁

Title: Re: Balsa demand to go down?
Post by: Dennis Toth on March 23, 2021, 12:49:44 PM

Another thing that will reduce the balsa demand is that many of the new turbine blade designs use a structural foam in place of the cross grain balsa between the two layers of fiberglass skins.

Best,   DennisT

Title: Re: Balsa demand to go down?
Post by: John Park on March 26, 2021, 10:45:09 AM

When I first saw this, I imagined the new gadget was simply a Flettner Wing, mounted vertically and being turned by the wind rather than generating lift.  I assume the Flettner Wing has been tried in this context, but I've never seen anything published about it so presumably it's been found wanting in some way.