Finding “Da Vinci Innovation” in Today’s Wind and Solar Energy Designs!

When artistry is mixed with science and technology, I am at once reminded of the creative genius of Leonardo Da Vinci’s own inventions back in the 15th century – and his conceptualized drawings of helicopters, parachutes, armored tanks, revolving bridges, and yes, concentrated solar power. But what advancements have been made in today’s mixture of art and alternative energy?

First, let’s take a look at the aesthetics of solar energy.  Instead of rack-mounted, aluminum-framed solar panels, solar manufacturers are now on a race to create frameless photovoltaic systems that seamlessly blend into traditional roofing materials and appear as semi-transparent skylights, solar shingles and solar tiles.  And at Swansea University in Wales, researchers have actually developed a “solar paint” which can be brushed directly onto your roof.  But perhaps the biggest transformation has been the application of solar cells into fabrics  – better known as “smart fabrics” or “wearable technology”.  Solarmer Energy Inc. based in El Monte, California is one such company that is re-inventing the idea of recyclable solar-powered fabrics in its textile products i.e. uniforms, jackets and vests, tents, awnings, and sails, and bags, backpacks, and suitcases.

As for wind energy and the traditional three-bladed horizontal axis wind turbines that make up almost of all today’s wind farms – they are now being fashioned with an entirely new array of looks that range from an ‘inflatable high altitude wind turbine blimp’ released by Altaeros Energies, an MIT and Harvard alumni-based company in Massachusetts to a ‘versatile wind harvester with rotating horizontal aerofoils’ now being developed by the founder of Wind Power Innovations Ltd. together with Nottingham Trent University in England.

Other extraordinary wind turbine designs now revolutionizing the alternative energy sector include the following:

1-    A new wind turbine that captures wind energy and fresh water out of thin air  – Produced by the French-based eco-energy company, “Eole Water”.

2-    A wind turbine with a revolutionary blade design showcasing protuberances or ridges on the blades called “tubercle technology” (inspired by the bumps found on humpback whale flns) – Produced by Canadian-based “WhalePower Corporation” in Toronto.

3-    The world’s most advanced silent wind turbine called “Eco-Whisper Turbine”, a unique 30 blade design shaped in a cowl/ring design – Produced by “Renewable Energy Solutions Australia” based in Brisbane.

4-    A spinning spire-shaped wind turbine with vertical airfoils aptly called “Windspire Wind Turbines” – Produced by Nevada-based “Windspire Energy Inc.” in Reno.

5-    A new gracefully-bent parapet-mounted wind turbine called “Architectural Micro Wind Turbine” that both produces electricity and enhances the building structure – Produced by California-based “AeroVironment Inc”. in Monrovia  – the world leader in rooftop wind technology.

6-  Another non-traditional wind turbine, the “Honeywell Wind Turbine”, features gearless magnetic blades and stator coils surrounding its outer ring  – Produced by “Windtronics Inc.” in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

But perhaps most interesting still is the appearance of a new ‘Da Vinci-esque’  art form appropriately named “renewable energy sculpture”.  One such artist is Deedee Morrison from Birmingham, Alabama whose very public artwork “Sun-Catcher Sculpture” in downtown Clearwater, Florida combines aesthetics and solar power in its construction comprised of recycled aluminum, lemon yellow lucite panels, and solar panels.  Another fantastic artist/engineer known for his recyclable “kinetic art”, is Theo Jansen from Holland whose whimsical wind-powered sculpture, named “Strandbeest”,  a “beach beast” automaton (See http://www.strandbeest.com/) is able to strut its legs across seaside sands made only of yellow pcv piping, sails, and recycled plastic bottles and genetic algorithms.  Speaking of sands, there is tidal art for the “everyman”, where any person can create their own sculpture on the beach using the natural objects left by the last high tide.  By the way, did I mention Leonardo da Vinci invented scuba diving gear as well – on paper?