CBC's revolutionary design features a stationary wind concentrating enclosure. We use the sails of the enclosure, not large propeller blades, to intercept the wind and focus its energy. Since HIPS technology relies on a stationary enclosure instead of a large moving mass of blades to intercept the wind, it is more than twice as efficient and can harvest wind energy where traditional turbines are not suitable.
Each system can be tailored to your site and requirements. Essentially, the enclosure of the wind turbine is a structure, a specialized building housing the rotor. We match the appearance of the equipment to blend into your existing environment 'hiding' the system in plain sight.
We size the enclosure to match the wind at your property and your power requirements. The enclosure can even be scaled and strengthened to survive extreme winds such as Category 5 hurricanes.
When arrayed as distributed generation sources scattered throughout the community improve the community’s resilience to storms, minimize reliance on outdated transmission infrastructure.
Our enclosure makes the equipment more reliable, inconspicuous and friendlier to wildlife. And there is no need to point the equipment into the wind. HIPS Wind Energy Systems are omni-directional.
The Hidden In Plain Sight Wind Energy System is an enclosed system designed to meet the most demanding requirements, to go where traditional wind turbines can't go.
Wind Concentrating Enclosure
The keystone element of the system is its stationary wind concentrating enclosure. It intercepts a greater amount of wind energy without increasing the size of the blades. It collects wind from all directions without having to be pointed into the wind.CBC's unique design includes a stationary wind concentrating enclosure that provides distinct and unique benefits:
Allows equipment to be roof mounted.
Allows the equipment to be 'hidden in plain sight', either blended into an existing building or disguised as a light-house, Silo, Watchtower, or Cupola.
Multi-directional: collects wind from all directions.
Concentrates wind: turbine reaches full power in low wind speeds.
Stationary structure
Friendly to birds and other wildlife
Results in zero shadow flicker
Structure can be incorporated and 'hidden' into existing building.
Stators can be used as signage in appropriate locations.
The enclosure is constructed from corrosion resistant aircraft aluminum, stainless steel and composite materials.
Dynamic chamber
At the center of our enclosure is a chamber housing the rotor. The chamber dynamically changes size and shape responding to ambient wind speed and direction, optimizing air flow and power production. It focuses the wind energy on the rotor and creates a vortex around it. Consequently, the system is much more efficient than traditional wind energy systems and starts up and reaches rated power at lower wind speeds.
Light-weight, high performance rotor
Using an enclosure to house the rotor lends itself in other ways towards withstanding Category 5 force winds.
First, the rotor is supported at two points, top and bottom, distributing the load over two points versus at one, central complex hub (where all the forces are concentrated and is subject to failure). Consequently, the rotor is supported independently from the power and drive system meaning that the system is not relying on the drive components to absorb the forces of the mechanical supports.
There is also no complicated, vulnerable pitching and braking system. As a result, the system performs better in high winds and is much more reliable. Because we use an enclosure, our rotor can be lighter, and suspended from both top and bottom.
Fault Tolerant, Redundant Drive
Even the most robust designs must plan for failure of critical components. Redundancy is the answer. And while the redundancy of power stations inherent in a Distributed Generation infrastructure is important, redundancy within the wind energy system also has its place. For example, each 100 kW Mission Critical HIPS unit would feature five independently operated 20kW generators. In the event that one of the generators fail, the generator can be quickly disconnected, the other generators pick up the load maintaining output until the failed generator can be replaced.
And with our locally supported HIPS Investment Protection Program, the community can eliminate the need to wait for specialists to be transported into the disaster zone to make repairs after the catastrophic event. The rotor can drive multiple generators. Bottom line - it's much more reliable.
Output Range: 5kW through 250kW
Rated Wind Speed: 15 - 25 mph (6.6 - 11m/s)
Design Life: 20 years
CBC's unique design features a stationary wind concentrating enclosure. The sails of the enclosure intercept the wind and focus its energy at the center of the enclosure.
MODEL
DIAMETER
ft (m)
HEIGHT
ft (m)
INTERNAL HEIGHT
ft (m)
CUT IN
mph (m/s)
A
24 (7.4)
30 (9.1)
24 (7.4)
5 (2.2)
B
34 (10.4)
23 (7.0)
17 (5.2)
10 (4.4)
MODEL
DIAMETER
ft (m)
HEIGHT
ft (m)
INTERNAL HEIGHT
ft (m)
CUT IN
mph (m/s)
C
54 (16.5)
60 (18.3)
54 (16.5)
5 (2.2)
D
77 (23.5)
44 (13.4)
38 (11.6)
10 (4.4)
please note: information for reference only; actual dimensions and cut in wind speeds are based on site specific criteria and customer requirements.
Power trains are available from 20kW through 160kW in increments of 20kW. 20kW and 100kWare referenced for information purposes.
Power Curve
Enclosure Model
Power Train Rating (kW)
Annual Production*
(kWh)
Cut In
mph (m/s)
Rated
mph (m/s)
A
A
20
89,024
5 (2.2)
22 (9.8)
B
B
20
65,515
10 (4.4)
22 (9.8)
C-20
C
20
117,069
5 (2.2)
15 (6.7)
C-100
C
100
445,122
5 (2.2)
22 (9.8)
D-20
D
20
88,692
10 (4.4)
15 (6.7)
D-100
D
100
327,576
10 (4.4)
22 (9.8)
* assuming Rahleigh Distribution winds averaging 11mph, air density = 1.2
Actual production is based on site conditions and will vary.
Business, CBC Blog Story 1
Business, CBC Blog Story 2
Business, CBC Blog Story 3
Look at the numbers and see
Inside Climate News, Aug. 2018
Keeping up with the Wind Power Industry
HIPS
Solar
HAWT
VAWT
Scale to 100+kw per unit
✓
✓
✓
Survive 200mph winds
✓
kWh Produced per Year (per 100kW system)
486,352
150,000
196,000
n/a
100kW $/kW-Hr
.096
.113
.153
n/a
(Percent compared to solar)
-27.5%
0
14.8%
n/a
Annual costs for maintenance, extended warranty and downtime
$5000
$8000
$9000
n/a
Suitable for Distributed Generation in metro area
✓
✓
Silent operation
✓
✓
Low wind speed production
✓
Rated power at high wind speeds
✓
Fault tolerant and redundant
✓
Area required (sq.ft)
6,000
25,000
25,600
n/a
Balance, Braking, Complicated Hub
✗
✗
Contact us for more information, including test data and video examples of our unit in Narragansett, RI.
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