VAWT - Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Update: Since writing this article in 2008, I've done a bunch of research on the design and efficiency of these turbines.  They have their up-sides and down-sides.  The downsides being, they are far less efficient in transforming force from the wind to rotational force, when compared with the typical airplane prop type design.  This is probably why you don't see more planes with this kind of propeller.  They are however, less noisy, which may make them more suitable in an urban environment. 

I was just in DC a few weeks ago and witnessed one of VAWTs big benefits first hand.  In the city, there was a prop type turbine directly adjacent a VAWT.  Wind speed is pretty low and turbulent do to multiple obstructions, like building, trees, and such.  And there she was spinning like a champ, while the prop turbine was dead in the water.  I can already hear the engineers start babbling efficiency numbers and equations for power production.  Prop type turbines make more power, that's a given.  But, that little real world demonstration of utilizing available wind in a certain, non-optimal, environment speaks volumes to me.  

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I remember this type of wind turbine when watching a Science Channel program called EcoTech.  The very same special that my animation was in.  The design is much more like an old lawn mower as compared to the air plane prop design.  This looks far more efficient.  And I could imagine this right at the pinnacle of my house.. just making electricity like crazy!

 [video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVtEpACUVh0]

Look at how f'ing easy it would be to make this thing!  
 [video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ5kX5Yw4eY]

Here's a nice design!!
{[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyvf7iyi-wM]