Windtech Inc., a Minnesota-based wind power generation equipment company, has announced exclusive rights to patented Zero Contact Transmission (ZCT) drive technology for small wind (<250 kW) power generation applications.
The company says applying ZCT technology in wind turbines helps overcome production limitations of direct-drives and gearbox issues.
‘Because the ZCT technology reduces frictional losses, we've been able to produce power in winds as low as 6 mph with maximum output at just 18 mph," says Windtech CEO James Wiff. "A gear-driven wind turbine won't even begin generating until 8-10 mph and needs winds in excess of 24 mph to achieve maximum output. There is a substantial advantage in being able to apply the ZCT based Windtech turbines in a much greater geographical range accessing areas previously considered too low for wind power production."
The ZCT technology, developed by Future Force LLC of Minneapolis, underwent a 5 kW demonstrator study earlier this year. Windtech says it is in the process of securing funding for the transition of the company and product from the prototype phase into the production phase.
