Winds of Change
Popular Mechanics South Africa|May/June 2022
Local start-up Brayfoil Technologies is fast becoming an established name in the sustainable energy sector, with their pioneering work creating shape-altering biomimetic blades for wind turbines.
By John Whittle
 Winds of Change


NOW MORE THAN EVER, the transition to sustainable energy sources is at the forefront of that ever-buzzy buzzword, Cleantech'. Brayfoil Technologies is developing new innovations to accelerate the green revolution with their morphing blade technology inspired by birds' wings.

The minutiae of this industry are countless and as a collective, bit by bit, we're moving towards a greener future with energy production becoming markedly more sustainable. Key to this is wind power, which in and of itself is a hugely complex ecosystem of research, continued development, and innovation. The pace of wind power installation needs to accelerate significantly from its current level of 88 GW installed globally in 2021, to more than 200 GW per annum by 2030 if the world is to hit net-zero targets. In simple terms, net zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gases produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. Net zero is reached when the amount of greenhouse gases added to the atmosphere is no more than the amount taken away.

What this translates to is a sevenfold growth in the demand for windpower capacity within the next 30 years with not only more turbines than ever before being required, but for each of those turbines to produce more energy per device.

THE PROBLEM

The larger the wind turbine, the greater the forces enacted on the entire structure - this is an inherent issue with large wind turbines. Aero forces are created from all wings, including wind-turbine blades; this is what allows them to generate power from the wind. However, these shapes also create forces beyond what is required to generate power, resulting in excess loadings during operation and massive loadings during storm events.

Bu hikaye Popular Mechanics South Africa dergisinin May/June 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Popular Mechanics South Africa dergisinin May/June 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

POPULAR MECHANICS SOUTH AFRICA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Can a retired rocket engine take us to Mars?
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Can a retired rocket engine take us to Mars?

The space shuttle's main engine was mothballed with the programme in 2011. Now NASA believes it's the future of interplanetary travel.

time-read
9 dak  |
January/February 2023
6 metre waves. All engines on fire. 1 500 Km from land.
Popular Mechanics South Africa

6 metre waves. All engines on fire. 1 500 Km from land.

How Flying Tiger 923 and its 'miracle pilot' made an impossible ocean landing.

time-read
10 dak  |
January/February 2023
Land Rover Discovery D300
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Land Rover Discovery D300

A FEW MONTHS ago a $2 billion lottery jackpot was won in the United States. It’s fun to sometimes ponder outrageous winnings like that, and how I’d spend it, even if it’s completely detached from reality.

time-read
3 dak  |
January/February 2023
Volkswagen Taigo R-Line 1.0 TSI
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Volkswagen Taigo R-Line 1.0 TSI

The compact proportions make this a delightful daily commuter.

time-read
2 dak  |
January/February 2023
Mazda CX-5 2.2 L De Akera AWD
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Mazda CX-5 2.2 L De Akera AWD

Floor the pedal and overtaking is achieved easily and safely.

time-read
1 min  |
January/February 2023
Making the most out of your grinder
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Making the most out of your grinder

THE HUMBLE BENCH GRINDER IS A STAPLE of the handyworker's home shop, largely due to its versatility. But, while you can employ one to remove metal from just about anything, the traditional kind may not provide the precision you need for every grinding operation. Here, we shed light on the best ways to use the different types of grinders, gleaned from our testing.

time-read
4 dak  |
January/February 2023
Unlock your devices' full potential with a USB-C hub
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Unlock your devices' full potential with a USB-C hub

AS NEW TECH SHRINKS EACH YEAR, essential ports such as USB-A, HDMI, and ethernet are being replaced by the slimmer USB-C.

time-read
5 dak  |
January/February 2023
WE BUILT THE WORLD'S FIRST V-8 TESLA
Popular Mechanics South Africa

WE BUILT THE WORLD'S FIRST V-8 TESLA

THE RICH REBUILDS TEAM HAD A DEAD MODEL S. THEY FIXED IT WITH A CAMARO ENGINE.

time-read
9 dak  |
January/February 2023
I bought a GHOST TOWN
Popular Mechanics South Africa

I bought a GHOST TOWN

This abandoned California mining village once had 400 buildings. Now I'm restoring the 20 that remain.

time-read
8 dak  |
January/February 2023
F1 taught me that speed starts with comfort
Popular Mechanics South Africa

F1 taught me that speed starts with comfort

AS A FAN OF MOTORSPORT, I'M ALWAYS fascinated with the finer details that go into Formula One racing. Piloting the fastest racing cars on the planet subjects drivers to savage forces - up to 6 G's under braking which has led to an almost endless pursuit of comfort.

time-read
2 dak  |
January/February 2023