How I would build a wind turbine

[PhiScience]

  I do believe if we were to apply the physics of sail boating and all the years of high performance sail design we can build a low cost low to the ground generating plant.

When you can see one if those big sail boats traveling faster than the wind using a few yards of cloth you can tell that there is some serious horsepower potential there for generating electricity. 

http://www.animations.physics.unsw.edu.au/jw/sailing.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/1208-physics_of_sailing.htm

Wayne

[onthecuttingedge2005]

one could also build stackable & vertical wind generator modules like this.

[TechStuf]

I look at those giant wind turbines and I often chuckle, quizzically....at the massive wastes involved.  Don't get me wrong, one can eek out some impressive numbers from such systems, such as they are.

Case in point:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827104702.htm

You read that correctly:

["During the preliminary races, the Stuttgart Ventomobile had already proven to be the most lightweight and most efficient vehicle among the contestants when, with its 130 kg, it succeeded in racing at 64% of the wind speed directly against the wind. From then on it was considered a serious contender for the win."]

[kooler]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827104702.htm

a even kooler way to kill more birds...

[TechStuf]

a even kooler way to kill more birds...

I think it's obvious by now, that it's come down to US or THEM.


(What?  It's not like I said anything you all didn't already know.  Deep down, you know I'm right!)