u5009574 william barker engn1211 assignment d

8/4/2019 U5009574 William Barker ENGN1211 Assignment D

1/16

! "#"!

Engineering Assignment D Engineering Technology Report (Final)

William Barker

U5009574

!"#$%&'()$&

Introduction to Engineering, ENGN1211

Lecturer: Mr Jeremy Smith

Practical Group 9, Team Number 1

Group Members: Christopher Van der Spek, Lerh Low, Cameron Dally

Due: 13th May 2011

The Australian National University

!


2/16

! "$"!

!

%&'(()!(*!+,-.,//0.,-!

1())/-/!(*!+,-.,//0.,-!2,3!1(4567/0!%&./,&/!

!

!""#$%&'%()*+,'-)".''()

)

(.#")".''()".+/01)2')!((!*.'1)(+)(.')3-+%()+3)4+/-)!""#$%&'%()5.'%)#()#")"/2(('16)

"(/1'%()#1)%/&2'-7)88/9::;9!

!

!

%6?4.@@.(,!(*!7'.@!2@@.-,4/,7!&(,@7.767/@!2!3/&)2027.(,!7'278!

!

A(!5207!(*!7'.@!B(0C!'2@!?//,!&(5./3!*0(4!2,!

!

!"#$%&*+$$,&!

%763/,7!A24/8!LLLLLM.)).24!N20C/0LLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!O27/8!LLLLL#$7'!;2

! !


3/16

! ":"!

-./,%(0,&

The Magenn Air Rotor System (MARS) is a wind turbine which operates at altitudes of 120-305 metres, where it is able to harness stronger and more reliable winds than wind turbineson the ground. The operation of the MARS involves the principles of: the Law of

conservation of energy, electromagnetic interactions and fluid mechanics (including theMagnus effect). Currently, the system is expensive and not commercially produced to anysignificant scale. The system can potentially produce economically viable electricity, withoutthe combustion of fossil fuels. The MARS has potential applications in supplying power toremote communities and areas of low ground wind speed. The MARS is filled with helium,which impacts upon the long term sustainability of the technology, both ecologically andeconomically. The MARS is less efficient and more expensive than traditional wind turbines.Overall, the MARS has great potential as a renewable and low carbon source of electricity inthe future, if its weaknesses can be addressed.! !


4/16

! "P"!

1(.2$&"3&!"4,$4,/&1(H/0!Q2-/!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!#!

1(H/0!%'//7!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!$!

R?@702&7!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!:!

S2?)/!(*!1(,7/,7@!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!P!

S2?)/!(*!T.-60/@!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!U!

V,70(36&7.(,!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!W!

Q0.,&.5)/@!N/'.,3!X5/027.(,!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!W!

1(,@/0H27.(,!(*!+,/0->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!Y!

+)/&70(42-,/7.&!V,7/02&7.(,@!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!Y!

T)6.3!4/&'2,.&@!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!Y!

;2-,6@!+**/&7!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!Z!

+H2)627.(,!(*!Q0(36&7>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>![!

%70/,-7'@!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>![!

M/2C,/@@/@!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>![!

+&(,(4.&!\.2?.).7>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!#=!

^(B!/**/&7.H/!.@!7'/!;R_%!.,!@()H.,-!7'/!50(?)/4!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!##!

O/H/)(54/,7!(*!Q0(36&7!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!##!

V,H/,7(0!(*!7'/!Q0(36&7!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!##!

S.4/).,/!(*!_/@/20&'!2,3!O/H/)(54/,7!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!##!

R,7.&.527/3!;20C/7!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!#$!

Q(@@.?)/!T6760/!O/H/)(54/,7@!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!#$!

^


5/16

! "U"!

1(.2$&"3&56)7%$/&

Figure 1 ...6

Figure 2 ...6

Figure 3 ...8

Figure 4 ...8


6/16

! "W"!

84,%"970,6"4&

The MARS is an airborne wind turbine developed by Magenn Power Inc. (hence forthMagenn) The system is comprised of a helium filled balloon, which rotates around alongitudinal axis under the influence of wind, thus turning a generator, creating electricity.

The system is anchored to the ground with a high tensile strength, conductive tether, whichtakes the electricity generated by the MARS, and distributes it to the power grid. The MARSis used to generate renewable electricity from wind energy at altitudes between 400 and 1000feet (120 to 305 metres), enabling it to gain energy from more reliable and powerful windsthan traditional turbines. A diagram of the MARS from front and side views is shown inFigure 1

Figure 1: Diagram of the MARS from front and side view (Magenn Power, 2011)

The MARS is still in development, and is not yet in large scale commercial production,however, proof-of-concept prototypes have been constructed. The alpha prototype for the

MARS is shown in figure 1, and this prototype is indicative of the appearance and function ofthe final product. The MARS is not a replacement for traditional ground wind turbines, but issimply meant to be used in addition/ compliment with it. This is because the MARS isdesigned to be operational in areas where current wind turbines are not, e.g. areas of lowground wind speed.

Figure 2 The MARS 10kW alpha prototype tested in April 2008 (Magenn Power, 2011)

'%6406:2$/&;$+649&


7/16

! "Y"!

mainly physics text books were consulted. The information contained in this text is highlyreliable, due to the editing process involved in the publication of these sources. In addition,some online sources were used, which were not as reliable, but, in these instances, multiplesources were checked, to ensure the information present was supported by others. Thus,overall this section is quite accurate and reliable.

!"4/$%#(,6"4&"3&=4$%)>&The physical law of conservation of energy is a fundamental law of the universe. This lawstates that energy can be neither created nor destroyed, only transformed from one form toanother. This idea is crucial to the conversion of the kinetic energy of the wind to rotationalenergy of the MARS. As the wind particles collide with the balloon, part of their kineticenergy is converted into rotational energy of the balloon. It is important to note, however, thatnot all of the energy of the wind will be converted to rotational energy of the MARS, as someenergy will be lost to heat (through friction) and other forms of energy. In addition, not all ofthe energy of the wind particles will go into making the MARS rotate, as the amount ofenergy imparted to the system will depend upon the conditions under which each air particle

collides with the system, and will be different for each collision. Despite this, it is stillimportant to consider the kinetic energy that wind particles (moving air particles) posses due

to their motion. The kinetic energy that wind particles possess is given by 2

2

1mvKE

Hence, the power, or energy per unit time is given by

32

(

2

2

1)(

2

1

2

1vAvvAvmP airair

where m air and A is the cross-sectional area.

=2$0,%"?()4$,60&84,$%(0,6"4/&

The idea of electromagnetic interactions is crucial to the ability of the MARS, and indeed anyform of turbine generator to generate electrical energy from kinetic energy. This is based on

Faradays Law of electromagnetic induction !

. This law states that varying a

magnetic field over time will induce a current in a conductor, and hence, the movement of amagnetic field can be converted into electrical potential. This principle is used to generateAC electricity in power stations, through creating a magnetic field rotating at a constantangular velocity. In the MARS, this rotating magnetic field is driven by the rotation of the

body of the system turning a turbine within the generator. Thus the output is proportional tothe speed at which the system rotates, and hence the wind speed (since the speed at which thesystem rotates is a function of wind speed).

52769&?$0+(460/&

Fluid mechanics is the study of fluids [liquids and gasses] at rest and in motion (OxfordConcise Science Dictionary). Since the MARS is rotating in air, fluid mechanics (specificallyaerodynamics) will have a large impact upon how the operation of the system. Analysis of theresistance the air offers to the motion of the MARS is crucial to understanding the poweroutput and efficiency of the system. Without careful aerodynamic analysis, the MARS maynot be stable or able to rotate at all, and hence, this area is crucial to the operation of thesystem.Fluid mechanics is also involved in the floatation of the entire system. The MARS is able to

float because of the buoyant force created by the helium in the balloon is greater than thetotal weight of the system, resulting in a net upwards force. The buoyant force is given by the


8/16

! "Z"!

mass of the displaced air, thus, ! air is the density of air and Vair is the

volume of air displaced. The weight force is given by ! , where g is acceleration

due to gravity and msystem is the total mass of the MARS (including the mass of helium).

Thus, for the system to float,g

VmgmVFF airairsystemsystemairairgB

.

@()47/&=33$0,&

The Magnus effect is not as important to the operation of the system as other principles (e.g.conservation of energy), but is more a consequence of the operation. Nonetheless, it is animportant physical principle which has some important consequences for the system.The existence of the side-force on a rigid circular cylinder which is both rotating andmoving forward, and likewise on a sphere, is usually known as the Magnus effect, after the

person who made the first relevant laboratory experiments (Magnus 1853).(Batchelor,1967). The Magnus effect is shown in Figure 3. This diagram shows that the Magnus effectcauses the rotating object immersed in the moving fluid to experience an upwards force.

Figure 3: Diagram of the Magnus EffectThe operation of the MARS is shown below in Figure 4, from which it is obvious that theMARS will experience a Magnus force directed upwards. "Helium (an inert non-reactivelighter than air gas) sustains the Air Rotor which ascends to an altitude for best winds and itsrotation also causes the Magnus effect. This provides additional lift, keeps the devicestabilized, keeps it positioned within a very controlled and restricted location, and causes it to

pull up overhead rather than drift downwind on its tether." (Magenn, 2011).

Figure 4: Rotation of the MARS during operation (Magenn Power, 2011)
http://www.jamespartaker.com/the-magnus-effect.jpg


9/16

! "["!

There are several different equations for calculating the Magnus Force, one appropriate

equation being: )( vSFm (Bradon

is the angular velocity of the rotating object and v is the velocity of the fluid.Thus, F m is proportional to the wind speed and the angular velocity of the MARS (which itself isdependent upon the wind speed, as shown above). Hence the magnitude of the Magnus force

is proportional to a power of the wind speed, and thus, the system is more stable at higherwind speeds.

=#(27(,6"4&"3&'%"970,&

*,%$4),+/&

The MARS has several strengths which make it a potentially viable technology. Primarily,the MARS is a system for producing electricity which does not require significant quantitiesof fossil fuels to operate. This is an important strength of the system, especially with thecurrent concern about the potential effects of Global Warming on the planet. This is the majorselling point for the technology.

The main advantage that the MARS has over more conventional wind turbines is that sincethe MARS operates at higher altitudes, and hence is subject to more generally moreconsistent and stronger winds. According to Dr Christina Archer from the Department ofGlobal ecology at the Carnegie Institute of Science Generally, wind speed increases withheight. Since the power of the wind is proportional to the cube of wind speed, this meansthat at higher altitudes, the wind possess significantly more power. Further, Magenn, 2011claim that the winds at higher altitudes are more reliable and consistent than those at loweraltitudes. If this claim is accurate, then not only would more power be available in the winds,

but it would be available for longer periods of time, and would supply more constant power(which is desirable for grid power supply). Further, this claim means that the MARS is ableto operate in areas where ground wind speeds are too low to make ground wind turbines to be

viable. Thus the MARS opens up new potential markets for wind turbines, for example invalleys, where ground winds are low, but high altitude winds are consistent and strong.Another advantage of the MARS is that the system can be located close to the areas wherethe power is demanded. This reduces the power losses in transmission, since power loss is afunction of distance, improving the efficiency of the system. Finally, the MARS is moremobile that traditional wind generators, meaning the MARS has the potential to be deployedas a temporary source of electricity in natural disasters.

A$(B4$//$/&

There are several weaknesses with the MARS, the most predominant being the large amount

of helium required for the operation of the system. Helium is the second smallest element,with an atomic weight of 4.00260amu (Chemicool, 2008) and is chemically unreactive, beinga group VIII element. World helium supplies are running out (World Science, 2008), andhence, as the MARS used helium to create a buoyant force, the system will be unsustainablein the long term. Thus, to ensure the sustainability of the system, alternative sources for the

buoyant force are needed. In addition, as helium is light and unreactive, it is not foundcombined as compound on the Earth. The only natural supplies of helium on the Earth arefrom the radioactive decay of Uranium isotopes, underneath the surface of the Earth. Thus,

because of the rarity of helium, it is quite expensive, and so, a cheaper alternative would alsomake the system more economically viable (this topic will be discussed in greater detail inlater sections).

The MARS is not as efficient a generator as the current ground wind turbines (MagennPower, 2011). In addition, wind turbines are cheaper to establish than the Magenn system.


10/16

! "#="!

The costs for a commercial scale wind turbine in 2007 ranged from $1.2 million to $2.6million, per MW of nameplate capacity installed. (Windustry, 2011) In comparison, theMARS costs US$500,000 (20%-50% the price) for a 100kW model (10% of the output).Hence, the MARS is between 2 and 5 times more expensive per unit output than traditionalwind turbines. Thus, it in situations where both turbines are viable, the obvious choice would

be the ground based turbines. Therefore, the potential market for the MARS is only areaswhere ground wind speeds are too low for traditional turbines. Another weakness of thesystem is that during thunder storms, the system is likely to act as a lightning rod. This could

potentially create a spike in voltage which would damage many electrical appliancesconnected to the power grid. Thus, a shield wire running directly to Earth, similar to thoseused in power lines, would be necessary. Despite this, usage in areas with high levels oflightning would still be unadvisable. Finally, the MARS has a relatively short life expectancyfor a power generator of only 10-15 years (see Appendix A). In comparison, the average ageof power stations in the United States in 2005 was 40 years (U.S. DEEIA, 2011). This shortlife-time significantly impacts upon the long term viability of the system. However, asdiscussed below, the comparative cost of the system compared to a power station may mean

that this is not a significant issue.

=0"4"?60&C6(.626,>&D'%"E$0,$9F&

The cut-in wind speed (the lowest wind speed at which the MARS will generate electricity) is3ms-1 and the cut-out wind speed is 24ms-1and Magenn recommends that the MARS shouldoperate in 12ms-1 (presumably on average) winds (see Appendix A). In 12ms-1 winds, the100kW model MARS will generate 100kW (see Appendix B). This equates to producing875MWh per annum. The system has a life expectancy of 10-15 years, and is estimated tocost US$500,000. (see Appendix A) Assuming the worst case scenario, the MARS will

produce 8.75GWh in its lifetime. In addition to the cost of the system, the total of operation

will also include the cost of helium. The 100kW model MARS requires 200,000 cubic feet(approx. 5.7ML) of helium to operate (see Appendix A). The cost of 100g ("#$%) of heliumis US$5.20 (Chemicool, 2008). Thus, to fully inflate the MARS with helium would costapproximately US$53,000, representing approximately 10% of the price of the entire system.It is uncertain as to how well this helium is then contained within the system, and it is highly

probable that over time the helium would escape from the system, and hence, they systemwould need to be refilled. Further, there would be transport, set-up and maintenance costsassociated with the system. Thus, the final cost of the system as a whole could be up to US$1million. Therefore, the cost of power, per kWh would be approximately 11.5c per kWh. Thisfigure does not include the costs of establishing a power grid. For comparison, in CanberraACTEWAGL sell electricity at a flat rate of 14.18c to 15.598c per kWh. Hence, the MARS is

potentially cost competitive.

It is important to note that most of the information attained for this section is supplied byMagenn Inc. and are only estimates. Thus, the figures are likely to be idealised, and higherthan the real values for the operation of the system, due to the invested interest Magenn has in

promoting the system. Since the system is not yet widely available, there is limited data onfrom third parties on the actual performance of the system, and hence the claims of Magennare subject to considerable doubt. However, in order to the cost effective analysis, their datamust be used, but any conclusions drawn from this must treated as idealised, and not entirelyreliable.


11/16

! "##"!

G"H&$33$0,6#$&6/&,+$&@-I*&64&/"2#64)&,+$&:%".2$?&

The MARS is designed to be a solution (or at least part of the solution) to global warming,through creating a sustainable and renewable source of electrical energy. Currently, theMARS shows great potential in contributing to this solving this problem, as the MARS is

projected to be able to produce economically viable electrical energy, which is not sourced

from fossil fuels. The system is also able to operate in areas previously unviable for windturbines, due to insufficient wind speeds. Thus, the system, it is still a possible source ofrenewable energy for the future. However, according to Discovery Chanel, 2008, 9.5 millionsystems would be required to satisfy the current global demand for electricity. This is anunrealistic number of systems, and is not achievable in the time period for solutions to globalwarming (around the next 50 years). Hence, the MARS would be only part of the solution toglobal warming. Hence, the system is a potential solution to the problem it is designed tosolve.

J$#$2":?$4,&"3&'%"970,&

84#$4,"%&"3&,+$&'%"970,&The inventor of the MARS is Fred Ferguson, founder and CTO of Magenn. Ferguson has

been working in the field of inflatable aircraft for over 30 years, and has been involved in thedesign and production of high tech aircraft for military and industrial purposes during thistime. In the 1980s, Ferguson developed an idea for the first spherical airship, and in the1980s, he patented his design for the Magnus Spherical Airship. This was an airship whichrotated as it moved forward, creating a Magnus lift, raising the airship as it moved. Theairship won the Canadian Government Award of Excellence in 1984. After this, Fergusonmoved into research into the aerodynamics of different airship shapes. In recent years,Ferguson has turned his attention towards the generation of environmentally sustainableelectricity, due to his concern due to his deep concern about the future of the planet, and the

dangers of global warming. Ferguson is the driving force behind the development of theMARS, and he passionately believes that the MARS has the potential to be at least a partialsolution to Global Warming. The reason I want to save this planet is really simple: I have adaughter and I have a family that will carry on, and I want that life ahead, whether Im in it ornot, to be a better place, not a lesser placed. (Fred Ferguson 2008, source: Discovery Chanel,2008).

16?$264$&"3&I$/$(%0+&(49&J$#$2":?$4,&

Research into creating an airborne wind turbine for Magenn Power started in late 2006. Manydifferent designs were considered and large amounts of planning and mathematical modellingwas conducted in this period. The main area in which the research and development for this

product was carried out was in the aerodynamics of the rotating body of the system. By early2008, this research reached the stage where Magenn was ready to start physically modellingthe system, and resulted in many scale models being created in this period. Tests wereconducted on these models in wind tunnels, and the early designs proved ineffective andunstable in even low wind speeds. Thus, the next generation of prototypes was developedwith an included wind vane, which acts to align the system with the direction in which thewind is moving. This improvement dramatically improved the stability of the system, and theresults of these test lead to the creation of a full-sized prototype of the system. This wastested in mid 2008, and initially was not successful, as the smaller models had neglected theweight of the generators in the overall system, and the uneven force loading they produced.

Thus, the prototype had to be redesigned, and finally, in late 2008, the 10kW alpha protocolwas successful in generating 200W of electricity from high altitude winds. This provided


12/16

! "#$"!

proof of concept for the system, and showed that the technology was feasible in the realworld. Since this test, Magenn have conducted further research into improving the efficiencyof the generators, and also into the commercial production of the system.

-4,606:(,$9&@(%B$,&

The MARS does not require a large amount of capital investment compared to theestablishment of coal power stations, but is still too expensive for individual usage. Inaddition, the MARS produces approximately 3 orders of magnitude less power than atraditional coal power station (U.S. DEEIA, 2011), and approximately 2 or 3 orders ofmagnitude more power than an individual household consumes. Hence, it is logical that theMARS be targeted at small community situations, which is the Magenns anticipated marketfor the MARS. developing nations, island nations, farms, remote areas, cell towers,exploration equipment, oil and gas wells, mining sites, offshore drilling stations and backup

power& water pumps (Magenn Power, 2011) Magenn also suggest that in such situations,the MARS should be used in compliment with a backup diesel generator.

'"//6.2$&57,7%$&J$#$2":?$4,/&

The MARS has great potential to become more commercially viable in the future throughimproving and increasing production.

G>9%")$4&%$:2(064)&+$267?&

Hydrogen is a possible alternative to helium for creating a buoyant force on the balloon.Hydrogen is lighter and smaller than helium, which presents positives and negatives. The

positive side is that a greater lift will be created by the same volume of hydrogen, but thenegative is that the hydrogen will escape from the system more quickly. Hydrogen is also amore reactive element than helium, which again has both positive and negative implications.

On the negative side, it means that if the MARS were filled with hydrogen, it would be farmore reactive, and any sparking could cause the hydrogen to ignite, causing the MARS toexplode. This possibility is very prominent in the public consciousness, due to the infamy ofthe Hindenburg airship disaster, where a zeppelin filled with hydrogen burst into flames, andkilled 36 people. However, since the MARS is unmanned, the severity of this threat isreduced. However, since the system generates electricity, there is quite a high chance ofsparking, and hence, great measure should be applied to minimise this risk. The positive sideof hydrogens high reactivity is that is found combined with other elements on the Earth, andhence is much more abundant than helium. This means that hydrogen is cheaper to attain, andis more sustainable than helium. Hydrogen could be formed by electrolysing water, whichcould be conducted on site, using the power created by the MARS. This would make the

system more self-sufficient, and thus further decrease the cost of the system. However, thisprocess would reduce the power available for use from the MARS, but, overall, it is likelythat the reduced maintenance and establishment costs would out-weigh this. Hence, I believethat research should be conducted into the viability of using hydrogen in lieu of helium tocreate the buoyant force for the system.

K(%)$&/0(2$&:%"970,6"4&L&$0"4"?6$/&"3&/0(2$&

Currently the MARS is still in the process of establishing production facilities for the MARS,after having recently finished final testing on the product. All costs on the system are stillestimates, and there is hope that as the company grows, and produces more systems, then

they may be able to reap economies of scale, bringing down the cost of the individual units.This would make the MARS a more viable technology, as it would reduce the cost of


13/16

! "#:"!

electricity produced by the system. In addition, increasing the production of the MARS mayalso result in improved transportation and/ or set-up/ construction techniques at the site. Thiswould reduce the costs associated with the operation of the system, and hence, reduce thecost of the electricity generated by the MARS.

MNNBA&?"9$2&

Initially, Magenn planned to release 4kW, 10kW and 25kW models, but these have beendiscarded in place of larger models. Magenn now has plans to introduce an 800kW MARSmodel in the future. This goal, however, may take several years to realise, given that the100kW model has not yet become commercially produced on any appreciable scale.

!"4027/6"4&

The idea of using high altitude winds to create electricity is sensible, due to the amount ofreliable power that can harnessed. Thus, the MARS has great potential as a source ofsustainable and low carbon source of energy into the future. The MARS has particular use in

remote and off-grid situations, for powering small communities. However, in order to achievethis, the amount of helium required by the system must be reduced, and, ideally the costreduced by larger scale production. Given the technical challenges already overcome by thesystem, it is possible that these remaining issues could be addressed, and thus, the technologywould become a very practical source of energy.


14/16

! "#P"!

I$3$%$40$/&

Batchelor, GK, 1967,An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics, Cambridge University Press,Cambridge. (pp427)

Brandon, P, 2010, The Magnus Effect, viewed 11 May 2011,

Chabay, RW & Sherwood, BA, 2011, Matter & Interactions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, UnitedState of America, Third Edition, University of North Carolina

Chemicool, 2011,Helium, Chemicool Periodic Table, viewed 12 May 2011

Discovery Chanel, 2008,Discovery Project Earth: Infinite Winds Primer: Video: Discovery

Chanel, viewed 11 May 2011,

Intellectual Property Australia, 2011,IP Australia: Auspat, viewed 7 Mary 2011,

Magenn Power Inc., 2011 Magenn Power Inc., Moffett Field CA, viewed 12 May 2011

The Engineering Toolbox, 2011, Gases Densities, viewed 12th May 2011,

TonleAid, 2010Living on the Water Tonle Sap, Cambodia, The Australian NationalUniversity

U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration, 2011,Form EIA-860Database, Annual Electric Generator Report,

United States Patent and Trademark Office, (U.S. DEEIA) 2011, United States Patent andTrademark Office, viewed 7 May 2011,

World Science, 2008, Shrinking helium reserves threaten more than kids play, WashingtonUniversity in St Louis, viewed 10 May 2011,

Windustry, 2011,How much do wind turbines cost?, viewed 12th May 2011,
http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/auspatbeta/http://www.magenn.com/http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/gas-density-d_158.htmlhttp://www.uspto.gov/http://www.windustry.org/how-much-do-wind-turbines-costhttp://www.windustry.org/how-much-do-wind-turbines-costhttp://www.uspto.gov/http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/gas-density-d_158.htmlhttp://www.magenn.com/http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/auspatbeta/


15/16

! "#U"!

-::$496O&-P&@-I*&QNNBA&'%"970,&*:$06360(,6"4/&D@()$44&'"H$%R&

SNQQF&

MARS 100kW Performance Specifications

Magenn PowerProduct

Model 100kW

Rated Power 101,000 Watts

Size (Diameter xLength)

45 ft x 100 ft (plus blade height of 22 fteach)

Shipping Weight Under 13,000 lbs

Volume of Helium 200,000 cubic feet

Tether Height750 ft standard - up to 1,500 ft optionaltether length

Start-up WindSpeed

2.5 m/sec - 5.6 mph

Cut-in WindSpeed

3.0 m/sec - 6.7 mph

Rated Wind Speed 12.0 m/sec - 26.8 mph

Cut-out WindSpeed

24.0 m/sec - 53.7 mph

Maximum WindSpeed

30.0 m/sec - 67.1 mph

TemperatureRange

-40!C /-40!F to +45!C/+113!F

Generators 100 kW Total

Output Form380 V 3 Phase 50 Hz, 480 & 600 V 3Phase 60 Hz or Regulated DC

Warranty One Year

Life Cycle 10 to 15 Years

Price (USD)(Estimated)

$500,000 USD

Availability 2010-2011 (taking orders now)


16/16

"#W"

-::$496O&;P&@-I*&QNNBA&'$%3"%?(40$&*:$06360(,6"4/&D@()$44&

'"H$%R&SNQQF&

u5009574 william barker engn1211 assignment d

Documents