As part of an effort to support innovative achievement in the field of renewable energy, four projects have been financed by the UK government. The goal is to develop new technologies that will help UK reduce carbon emissions and reach the set renewable energy targets.

Project NOVA (Novel Offshore Vertical Axis) is one of these projects. NOVA is basically a huge V-shaped vertical axis setup with blades that cause the rotor to spin and convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. One could see the new prototype as an evolution of the purely vertical axis turbine whose blades are vertical as well. The NOVA concept however, is scalable to reach as high as 120 meters in height. It was invented by David Sharpe, and further developed by Wind Power Limited. The next step in the project is to install a working protoype somewhere offshore within six years, with the general goal to achieve 1 GW of generated power by vertical axis turbines by 2020.

The technology for the NOVA turbine has been developed in collaboration with a consortium of companies, all from the UK. Aeronautic structural and materials design will be provided by Cranfield University, as well as offshore support structure design. Sheffield and Strathclyde Universities will provide the drive train and power systems, while private tech solutions provider QinetiQ will model and optimize the prototype's aerodynamic performance. Environmental impact and issues will be looked after by Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (CEFAS). James Ingram & Associates will provide offshore wind farm development know how.

Once fully developed, the NOVA will be commercially offered and developed by Wind Power Limited. The initial demo installation will happen over three phases in the next six years – concept selection and feasibility, testing and detailed design, and offshore demonstrator construction, installation and testing.

[source: Project NOVA, via: The Guardian]