Cleveland State University mechanical engineering professor Majid Rashidi believes there is a better way to harness the power of the wind, especially in areas with lower wind speeds. Rashidi’s research has focused on the potential of wind amplification structures capable of increasing the velocity of wind.

Through grants from the State of Ohio and the U.S. Department of Energy, Rashidi has developed a patented “wind amplification turbine system” that he believes is both cost-effective and commercially viable. The first prototype was recently unveiled at CSU and is prominently displayed on the rooftop of the Plant Services Building (1802 East 25th Street).

The system, which resembles a water tower, consists of a 25-foot diameter cylindrical wind-deflecting structure mounted on a 30-foot tall base. Four 7-foot diameter turbines, two on opposite sides of the cylinder, are suspended from a rotating support structure mounted to the top of the cylinder. The mounting structure employs an automated motor control system to position the turbines to be facing into the prevailing wind at all times. A stand-alone turbine serves as a control to measure the difference in power capacity of the traditionally mounted turbine versus Rashidi’s system.

“Wind amplification structures result in higher power output and reduce the minimum wind speed required to begin spinning a turbine,” explained Rashidi. “Our research shows that by placing a turbine next to the cylinder, the wind energy output can be up to three to four times greater than a stand-alone turbine of the same size.”