Yorkshire: Slipstream Energy receives £100K to develop wind turbines

Development grant

The renewable energy company Slipstream Energy, based in Leeds, UK, has been granted £100K by Yorkshire Forward to fund research that will improve wind turbine aerodynamic performance in built-up areas using Formula One technologies such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

CFD, used to design aerodynamic race cars, can compute and simulate fluid or air flows using complex algorithms and will be used by Slipstream Energy to optimise the efficiency of wind turbines subjected to turbulent air flows in built-up areas.

The project will be carried out in collaboration with the CFD centre at the University of Leeds and will result in the creation of a full-size prototype able to function optimally in turbulent conditions.

Philip Wilson, of Slipstream, said: “With rising fuel costs and growing concern about carbon emissions, research into clean technologies has never been more critical.  There is a strong and growing market demand for clean power that is generated at the point of use. Wind turbines are the ideal choice to meet this demand, but current products on the market just do not have the performance in variable winds seen in more built up areas. The award of this grant will allow us to further enhance our technology by working with world class experts to build efficiency improving features into our products.”

Alex McWhirter, of Yorkshire Forward, said: “Yorkshire Forward is delighted to be supporting Slipstream Energy as they seek to improve the efficiency of wind turbines, at a time when clean power is in great demand. We are committed to encouraging businesses in our region to innovate through a range of activities. Yorkshire Forward’s grants allow for the successful research and development of new products, which can open up a range of new markets for the region’s businesses.”