New Wind Turbine Technologies

A Japanese research group is working on a new technique that could triple the output of wind power generation. Called the wind-lens turbine, it gathers the wind much as a lens concentrates light by means of a special device that is attached around the turbine. So, what could that be? Look forward to this! It's simpler than you'd think! Tests have already started on turbines out at sea in preparation for practical introduction. Effective use of the wind around Japan's coasts could far more than satisfy Japan's electricity needs. We report from the vanguard of this dream new technology.