Cobalt Energy, a Reno Nevada technology development company, with funding assistance from the Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power Companies, has recently developed a new advanced electric generator for substantially increasing energy production in wind turbines. The new generator utilizes a specialized patented construction that allows it to generate electrical power with much higher efficiency than conventional generators. The prototype generator was designed by Dr. Rick Campbell and Tim Rodgers of Cobalt Energy. The generator was subsequently dynamometer tested by Professor Andrzej Trzynadlowski and his team at the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Nevada, Reno, to accurately measure the efficiency.

The testing results confirmed the design and showed that the generator produces power with 98.0% efficiency at full load. Testing also simulated the conditions for varying wind turbine operation conditions. At low wind speeds the efficiency peaked at a record 99.4% efficiency. According to inventor Dr. Chris Gabrys, the new generator is about 15% higher efficiency than comparable sized wind generators currently on the market, and this translates to more energy generation per wind turbine. It costs about the same to produce. The 10 kW prototype generator has now been incorporated into a complete small wind turbine for field testing, with blades supplied by Advanced Aero Technologies. The prototype turbine is being installed at the central office for Sierra Pacific Power for preliminary testing. The Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power Companies are currently striving to support increased renewable energy generation, new lower cost renewable generation technologies, and growth of the energy technology industry in the State. According to the Department of Energy, Nevada’s wind potential is more than 225% of the State's annual electric consumption and could eventually allow Nevada to become a substantial energy exporter.

Way to go Chris and Rick!