ECOLOGY AND ENERGY PRODUCTION

ECOLOGY AND ENERGY PRODUCTION

Friday, June 24, 2016



Work begins on the world's biggest wind turbine: Monster structure with blades 290ft long will dwarf the London Eye

  • Turbine will have three blades each 290 feet (88.4 metres) long. This compares to 394 ft diameter of the London Eye
  • The first onshore prototype of the 8 MW system will be installed by the end of the year in Bremerhaven, Germany

  • Turbine will have enough to power 10,000 homes and will be used to create some of the world's largest wind farms 

The world's largest wind turbine is being constructed in Denmark following the completion of the enormous rotor blades that will power it. Just one of its three blades stretches more than 290 feet and when complete it will be able to provide power for a small town of more than 10,000 homes. The Adwen AD8-180 will stand on a mast more than 295 feet (90 metres) tall when its installed, engineers say.Scroll down for video The world's largest wind turbine blade, the LM 88.4 P (pictured), has just been completed at a factory in Denmark. It will be used on the largest turbine in the world, which will tower almost 590 feet (180 metres) high when complete and will be capable of generating up to 8MW of energy, enough to power 10,000 homes The world's largest wind turbine blade, the LM 88.4 P (pictured), has just been completed at a factory in Denmark. It will be used on the largest turbine in the world, which will tower almost 590 feet (180 metres) high when complete and will be capable of generating up to 8MW of energy, enough to power 10,000 homesWith a blade diameter of 590 feet (180m) it will be 33 per cent bigger than the iconic London Eye.The first onshore prototype of the 8 MW system will be installed by the end of the year in Bremerhaven, Germany.But these enormous turbines are scheduled to form part of three huge offshore wind farms in France, each with a capacity of 500 MW of energy.
Just a single of these huge turbines is able to generate up to 8 MW of power if it gets enough wind - enough to power more than 10,000 homes.
The blades, which have been produced by Danish firm LM Wind Power with Adwen, are so big that the roads they are transported on need to be shut to public traffic.
Luis Álvarez, Adwen general manager, said 'When you are building the largest wind turbine in the world, almost everything you do is an unprecedented challenge. 
World's biggest wind turbine with 88.4 metre blades!

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    When complete the huge turbine will dwarf the London eye. The blades have a diametre that is a third larger than the popular tourist attraction (illustrated)
When complete the huge turbine will dwarf the London eye. The blades have a diametre that is a third larger than the popular tourist attraction (illustrated)
Each turbine will carry three of the enormous blades (pictured) and sit on a mast 295 feet (90 metres) tall
Each turbine will carry three of the enormous blades (pictured) and sit on a mast 295 feet (90 metres) tall
The huge turbine blade (pictured) is so large that public roads need to be closed down to transport it safely
The huge turbine blade (pictured) is so large that public roads need to be closed down to transport it safely
'We are going where no one else has ever gone before, pushing all the known frontiers in the industry.'
In order to build the enormous turbine blades the technology has had to undergo extensive safety testing.
The blades have been designed to resist high energy lightning strikes that can be a hazard to such large wind turbines.
Aerodynamics testing has also helped the companies perfect the design to help them squeeze as much power as possible from the enormous turbines.
Jesper Madsen, chief engineer of the aerodynamics at LM Wind Power, said: 'The cost of energy depends on many things – aerodynamics is the key important thing because it generates the power in the turbine.
TURBINES COULD GET BIGGER THAN THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING 
Researchers in the US are designing a new wind turbine that will reach 1,574 feet (479 metres) into the sky - 100 feet (30 metres) taller than the Empire State Building. 
Most wind turbines are around 328ft (100 metres) tall.
The giant blades would generate up to 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity, 25 times more than a typical turbine today.
By comparison, this would roughly power 44,400 average family homes.  
To keep them stable, the diameter of the structures would be roughly 1,312ft (400 metres).
The design is called Segmented Ultralight Morphing Rotors (SUMR).
The turbines wouldn't face the wind but would go downwind, aligning the blades to flow with the wind instead of fighting it.
Instead of a single stiff blade, each blade will be broken into segments, allowing it to be built and transported more easily.
The concept would also allow the blades to spread out when the wind is blowing lightly to capture as much power as possible. 
The companies have had to develop special coatings (pictured) to protect the blades from damage from the rain as they rotate at high speeds The companies have had to develop special coatings (pictured) to protect the blades from damage from the rain as they rotate at high speeds
The blades (one pictured in the factory in Denmark) have also been designed to resist high energy lightning strikes that can be a hazard to such large wind turbines
The blades (one pictured in the factory in Denmark) have also been designed to resist high energy lightning strikes that can be a hazard to such large wind turbines
'So here we're optimising between aerodynamic performance and the cost of the blade. In actual numbers, it means that with the optimisation in the wind tunnel we can gain may be one per cent extra in annual energy production.
'For a big rotor or turbine of six to eight megawatts, one percent extra in annual production is a lot of energy.'
A special coating has also been developed for the leading edge of the blades.
Due to the high speeds such large blades can generate as they move through the air, dust and raindrops can damage it over time, causing the surface to become pitted.
They have developed a coating to help protect the edge and shed water from the blades.
Emil Sorensen, an engineer at LM Wind Power said: 'It make me feel really proud. It's some of the world's biggest constructions.
'I can't think of many things which are so long and so wide that they can't be transported on a public road without closing it down.'
The blades (pictured) have undergone extensive aerodynamic testing for the new Adwan AD8-180 turbines. The first of them will be tested in Bremerhaven, Germany
The blades (pictured) have undergone extensive aerodynamic testing for the new Adwan AD8-180 turbines. The first of them will be tested in Bremerhaven, Germany
The turbine will be one of the largest mechanical structures in the world, according to the companies (picture of turbine blade being constructed) 
The turbine will be one of the largest mechanical structures in the world, according to the companies (picture of turbine blade being constructed) 
The Danish renewable energy firms have been building the turbines for use in offshore wind farms (picture of one of the blades being constructed)
The Danish renewable energy firms have been building the turbines for use in offshore wind farms (picture of one of the blades being constructed)

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

New York to get the world's biggest vertical farm: Giant 70,000 square foot 'lettuce factory' will produce 2 MILLION pounds of food a year



New York to get the world's biggest vertical farm: Giant 70,000 square foot 'lettuce factory' will produce 2 MILLION pounds of food a year

  • Facility will produce 75% more yield than a outdoor farms the same size and use 95% less water
  • Able to achieve by staggering crops, switching between 22 crops per year and will grown 250 different varieties  
  • Construction began last year and the firm is starting operation in areas of the facility as they are completed



The US loses at least 1.5 million acres of productive farmland to urbanization every year.
In order to combat the loss of land, AeroFarms builds indoor vertical farms and is set to open its ninth facility in Newark, New Jersey – one hour outside of Manhattan.
Believed to be the world's largest vertical farm, this 70,000-square-foot facility has the potential to harvest 2 million pounds of food a year and will use 95 percent less water than field farmed-food.
Scroll down for video 
In order to combat the loss of land, AeroFarms builds indoor vertical farms and is set to open its ninth facility in Newark, New Jersey – one hour outside of Manhattan. Dubbed the world's largest vertical farm, this 70,000-square-foot facility has the potential to harvest 2 million pounds of food a year
AeroFarms has been on a mission to combat the global food crisis since 2004 using its aeroponic growing systems.
This technology providers 'faster harvest cycles, predictable results, superior food safety and less environmental impact,' AeroFarms explains on the website.s
Not only will this massive farm produce millions of pounds of nutritious greens and herbs, it will produce 75 percent more yield than a traditional outdoor farm that is the same size, reports Urbanist.
AeroFarms is able to achieve this by staggering crops, a strategy that allows them to switch between 22 crops per year – regardless of the season.
The cutting-edge farming systems that are used in all of the facilities do not contribute to the effects of soil erosion, pesticides, water overuse and carbon emissions are heavily reduced – and sometimes completely eliminated. 

HOW DOES AEROFARMS GROW PRODUCE? 

The facility in Newark will be be 70,000-square-foot with the potential to harvest 2 million pounds of food a year and will use 95 percent less water than field farmed-food.
Specialized LED lights and climate controls have been specifically designed to grow a 250 variety of greens, all without the need for sunlight or soil.
These unique lights allow AeroFarms to control size, shape, texture, colour, flavor and nutrition of the leafy greens and herbs grown in the facilities.
AeroFarms uses aeroponic growing systems that mist the roots of the greens with 40% less hydroponics and zero pesticides.
Plant scientists monitor more than 30,000 data points from every harvest at each facility.
During this event, researchers will review, test and use predictive analytics to better improve the systems.
The firm has also developed a patented, reusable cloth medium for seeding, germinating, growing and harvesting.
Each cloth is developed using 24 post-consumer, recycled plastic water bottles, which can be fully sanitized after every harvest.
AeroFarms is able to achieve this by staggering crops, a strategy that allows them to switch between 22 crops per year during, including baby kale, regardless of the season. The aeroponic system is a closed loop system, using 95% less water than field farming, 40% less than hydroponics, and zero pesticides
AeroFarms is able to achieve this by staggering crops, a strategy that allows them to switch between 22 crops per year during, including baby kale, regardless of the season. The aeroponic system is a closed loop system, using 95% less water than field farming, 40% less than hydroponics, and zero pesticides
Specialized LED lights and climate controls have been specifically designed to grow a 250 variety of greens, all without the need for sunlight or soil.
These unique lights allow AeroFarms to control size, shape, texture, colour, flavor and nutrition of the leafy greens and herbs grown in the facilities.
'We use aeroponics to mist the roots of our greens with nutrients, water, and oxygen,' explains AeroFarms.
'Our aeroponic system is a closed loop system, using 95% less water than field farming, 40% less than hydroponics, and zero pesticides.'
The facility is getting closer to completion after a year of construction and the firm is opening up areas that are ready for operation. 
The aisles are filled with tall shelves that can only be accessed using a forklift crane and farmers must suit up before getting close to the produce – gloves, lab coat hairnet and disinfected shoes are mandatory attire. 
'We are building the world's largest indoor vertical farm in Newark, New Jersey, and we have farms in development on four continents,' said AeroFarms.
'There has never been a greater need for safe, dependable, nutritious food.'
'That is why we are committed to growing locally on a global scale.'
The firm says the proximity to Manhattan will cut costs for transportation and holds a large market that is eager for fresh locally grown produce.
Plant scientists monitor more than 30,000 data points from every harvest at each facility.
During this event, researchers will review, test and use predictive analytics to better improve the systems.
'With remote monitoring and controls in place, we have minimized the typical risks associated with traditional agriculture,' explained AeroFarms.
The firm has also developed a patented, reusable cloth medium for seeding, germinating, growing and harvesting.
The firm uses specialized LED lights and climate controls, all without the need for sunlight or soil. These unique lights allow AeroFarms to control size, shape, texture, colour, flavor and nutrition of the leafy greens and herbs grown in the facilities
The firm uses specialized LED lights and climate controls, all without the need for sunlight or soil. These unique lights allow AeroFarms to control size, shape, texture, colour, flavor and nutrition of the leafy greens and herbs grown in the facilities
'We are building the world's largest indoor vertical farm in Newark, New Jersey, and we have farms in development on four continents,' said AeroFarms. The firm says the proximity to Manhattan will cut costs for transportation and holds a large market that is eager for fresh locally grown produce
'We are building the world's largest indoor vertical farm in Newark, New Jersey, and we have farms in development on four continents,' said AeroFarms. The firm says the proximity to Manhattan will cut costs for transportation and holds a large market that is eager for fresh locally grown produce
Each cloth is developed using 24 post-consumer, recycled plastic water bottles, which can be fully sanitized after every harvest.
This system also acts as a barrier between the mist and the plants, allowing the firm to harvest a clean, dry and ready to eat product. 
AeroFarms is able to grow over 250 different varieties of leafy greens and herbs, which they has has a longer shelf life and highest highest possible food safety controls from seed to package.
Chief Marketing Officer Marc Oshima (left) laid out the reasons why New Jersey is the perfect place to grow our company and even had governer Chris Christie (left center) stop in for a visit. Oshima (right) also took visitors on a tour of the new facility in Newark sometime in March 2016, dressed in the proper mandatory attire
Chief Marketing Officer Marc Oshima (left) laid out the reasons why New Jersey is the perfect place to grow our company and even had governer Chris Christie (left center) stop in for a visit. Oshima (right) also took visitors on a tour of the new facility in Newark sometime in March 2016, dressed in the proper mandatory attire
Chief Marketing Officer Marc Oshima (left) laid out the reasons why New Jersey is the perfect place to grow our company and even had governer Chris Christie (left center) stop in for a visit. Oshima (right) also took visitors on a tour of the new facility in Newark sometime in March 2016, dressed in the proper mandatory attire
AeroFarms has been on a mission to combat the global food crisis since 2004 using its aeroponic growing systems. It has also developed a patented, reusable cloth medium for seeding, germinating, growing and harvesting  The aisles are filled with tall shelves that can only be accessed using a forklift crane and farmers must suit up before getting close to the produce
AeroFarms has been on a mission to combat the global food crisis since 2004 using its aeroponic growing systems. It has also developed a patented, reusable cloth medium for seeding, germinating, growing and harvesting  The aisles are filled with tall shelves that can only be accessed using a forklift crane and farmers must suit up before getting close to the produce
AeroFarms has been on a mission to combat the global food crisis since 2004 using its aeroponic growing systems. It has also developed a patented, reusable cloth medium for seeding, germinating, growing and harvesting  The aisles are filled with tall shelves that can only be accessed using a forklift crane and farmers must suit up before getting close to the produce
The firm doesn't just aims to make up for the farm loss in the US, but help combat the global food shortage.
The World Bank predicts that there will be a global population of 9 billion by 2050, which will require at least 50 percent more food than is needed today.
And climate change is also expected to cut crop yields by more than 25 percent over this time period, which is said to hit the poorest areas of the world the hardest. 
AeroFarms is able to grow over 250 different varieties of leafy greens and herbs, which they has has a longer shelf life and highest highest possible food safety controls from seed to package. Plant scientists monitor more than 30,000 data points from every harvest at each facility. During this event, researchers will review, test and use predictive analytics to better improve the systems
AeroFarms is able to grow over 250 different varieties of leafy greens and herbs, which they has has a longer shelf life and highest highest possible food safety controls from seed to package. Plant scientists monitor more than 30,000 data points from every harvest at each facility. During this event, researchers will review, test and use predictive analytics to better improve the systems