Japan has been focusing on expanding its renewable capacity, with a focus on new offshore wind expansions in coastal areas. However, in a country prone to typhoons, traditional turbine designs may not always be the best choice. Fortunately, Shimuzu has engineered a groundbreaking turbine design that not only stands its ground but also harnesses wind power from this natural disaster.
Enter the ‘Typhoon catcher,’ or rather, the typhoon turbine. This vertical turbine has an omnidirectional axis, allowing it to rotate and operate in all wind directions. It also produces energy with the Magnus effect, where rotation increases airflow on one side while slowing it down on the other. This creates a perpendicular force to the wind, resulting in it curving. It is thanks to this ingenious design that the typhoon turbine can stand its ground, even in extreme and potentially disastrous conditions.
