Comments on: Water receding, waiting for wind… http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/2008/08/25/water-receding-waiting-for-wind/ The Ecotricity Greenbird in world wind-powered speed record challenge Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:43:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Richard http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/2008/08/25/water-receding-waiting-for-wind/#comment-64 Richard Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:18:46 +0000 http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/?p=112#comment-64 Hi all, Richard Jenkins here... @ Brian James - The 'Throttle' controls the flap on the tail of the main wing, exactly like a pilot controls the elevator on the tail of an aeroplane. This then puts a moment force on the wing, which turns it to control the angle of attack to the apparent wind, and hence the power of the whole rig. @ alan dunsmore - We are pushing the boundaries of technology and efficiency to try and achieve a world first, and for this we need a very precise set of weather conditions to achieve our goal. It is not that there is no wind, just not the once a year occurrence we are waiting for. Wind power more generally can operate in a far wider wind range and make use of this low speed flows. The Greenbird simply helps draw attention to the phenomenal power of the wind and its future as a renewable power. Hi all, Richard Jenkins here…
@ Brian James -
The ‘Throttle’ controls the flap on the tail of the main wing, exactly like a pilot controls the elevator on the tail of an aeroplane. This then puts a moment force on the wing, which turns it to control the angle of attack to the apparent wind, and hence the power of the whole rig.

@ alan dunsmore -
We are pushing the boundaries of technology and efficiency to try and achieve a world first, and for this we need a very precise set of weather conditions to achieve our goal. It is not that there is no wind, just not the once a year occurrence we are waiting for. Wind power more generally can operate in a far wider wind range and make use of this low speed flows. The Greenbird simply helps draw attention to the phenomenal power of the wind and its future as a renewable power.

]]> By: alan dunsmore http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/2008/08/25/water-receding-waiting-for-wind/#comment-63 alan dunsmore Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:24:55 +0000 http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/?p=112#comment-63 Doesn't the fact that you can't move until the wind blows make the whole notion of wind power redundant? Trying to break the speed record is one thing and waiting for the correct conditions to achieve this is admirable, but having the whole adventure funded by a 'renewables' company who are hoping for some decent publicity seems out of keeping with the pursuit of the dream. The record can wait and sit it out but I’m not sure the worlds population can wait for the wind to blow to drive them forward. Doesn’t the fact that you can’t move until the wind blows make the whole notion of wind power redundant?

Trying to break the speed record is one thing and waiting for the correct conditions to achieve this is admirable, but having the whole adventure funded by a ‘renewables’ company who are hoping for some decent publicity seems out of keeping with the pursuit of the dream.

The record can wait and sit it out but I’m not sure the worlds population can wait for the wind to blow to drive them forward.

]]> By: Brian James http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/2008/08/25/water-receding-waiting-for-wind/#comment-60 Brian James Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:56:42 +0000 http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/?p=112#comment-60 I'd really appreciate your opinion on my "soap analogy" : If I understand it right, for maximum speed the Greenbird would be moving sideways to the wind… Like a very slippery wedge of soap, on a smooth surface, it will move sideways faster than your finger moves as it presses down. Hopefully this is useful analogy, and doesnt need complex mathematics :) I’d really appreciate your opinion on my “soap analogy” :

If I understand it right, for maximum speed the Greenbird would be moving sideways to the wind…

Like a very slippery wedge of soap, on a smooth surface, it will move sideways faster than your finger moves as it presses down.

Hopefully this is useful analogy, and doesnt need complex mathematics :)

]]> By: Mark Fraser http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/2008/08/25/water-receding-waiting-for-wind/#comment-59 Mark Fraser Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:06:57 +0000 http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/?p=112#comment-59 Hi Richard Read about you in NZ Hearld here in Auckland where we have lots of wind and heaps of rain, after 6 months of drought! Looks a bit faster than my Blokart copy and looking at the video it a takes bit longer to assemble than a blokart. I Haven't been out on my land yacht for 2 months as weather so bad! At least you have sunshine over in Oz, all we have is wind, rain and snow. Looking forward to seeing some video of greenbird in action. Do you hope to just break the record or smash it? Good luck keep up the good work. Cheers Hi Richard
Read about you in NZ Hearld here in Auckland where we have lots of wind and heaps of rain, after 6 months of drought! Looks a bit faster than my Blokart copy and looking at the video it a takes bit longer to assemble than a blokart. I Haven’t been out on my land yacht for 2 months as weather so bad! At least you have sunshine over in Oz, all we have is wind, rain and snow. Looking forward to seeing some video of greenbird in action.

Do you hope to just break the record or smash it?

Good luck keep up the good work.

Cheers

]]> By: Flip Prior http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/2008/08/25/water-receding-waiting-for-wind/#comment-58 Flip Prior Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:30:15 +0000 http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/?p=112#comment-58 Hi Richard, Dale, I am a journalist with The West Australian and have been trying (somewhat unsuccessfully!) to track down an Australian mobile phone contact for you both so I can have a chat with you about your land speed attempt. Can you email me back with details or ring me on 0894823260 or 0409912955 ASAP? Many thanks Hi Richard, Dale,

I am a journalist with The West Australian and have been trying (somewhat unsuccessfully!) to track down an Australian mobile phone contact for you both so I can have a chat with you about your land speed attempt. Can you email me back with details or ring me on 0894823260 or 0409912955 ASAP?

Many thanks

]]> By: Charlotte http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/2008/08/25/water-receding-waiting-for-wind/#comment-57 Charlotte Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:57:39 +0000 http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/?p=112#comment-57 Hi Richard, Read about you and the craft ibn the Guardian and obbserver. Hope you will have good conditions soon. The pictures are really great! Good luck! Charlotte (ps is Gina with you?) Hi Richard,

Read about you and the craft ibn the Guardian and obbserver. Hope you will have good conditions soon. The pictures are really great! Good luck!

Charlotte (ps is Gina with you?)

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