2008 ConocoPhillips Energy Prize Second Runner-Up
Logan Bryce and Team for the Micro Wind Distributive Power Generation |
While wind power is not a new way to produce energy, small wind turbines under 50 kw (Micro Wind) offer room for technological breakthroughs. The market lacks a turbine that can harvest power from wind at velocities of 12 mph and below and still keep a small form factor and slow rotor. Also lacking is an inverter system that can enable a turbine to be hooked directly to power mains and allow it to be pushed back to the power grid at a reasonable cost.
Micro Wind turbines could offset power used by many devices during operation with power derived by wind. The inverter would achieve seamless power distribution. For example, the Micro Wind turbine can be mounted to the top of light poles or billboard signs to constantly offset the light’s estimated power usage from power generated by wind. This would help stabilize the power grid by boosting capacity locally rather than importing power from outside of the regional area.
Additionally, as more turbines are installed, power generated by polluting sources would be lessened, thus reducing greenhouse gases and pollutants released into the atmosphere. |
| About the Team |
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Logan Bryce
Team leader Logan Bryce is a wind turbine installer and field engineer who specializes in small wind turbines under 50 kw in size. He also has managed a small wind field test site where he tested turbines from many different manufacturers.
Jenni Bryce
For over 10 years, Bryce has been involved with renewable energy. She has managed a successful, female-owned, veteran-owned renewable energy business that specialized in sale and installation of wind turbines under 50 kw in size.
Bob Gudgel
Gudgel is an electrical engineer with over 15 years of experience designing power electronic products for the renewable energy field. He is credited with designing one of the most popular charge controllers on the market today.
Robin Gudgel
Gudgel is a mechanical engineer with over 20 years of experience designing and manufacturing quality products for use in the renewable energy field. He has designed many of the best‑selling inverters and charge controllers on the market today.
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