What if a wind farm was built off the Illawarra coast that wasn't visible because it did not have giant blades on a 260-metre steel pole?

What if the wind farm had VAWTs (Vertical Axis Wind Turbines) rather than the HAWTs (Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines) we are so familiar with with the slowly rotating giant blades?

Studies have shown that in large offshore wind turbine farms, the back row has much-degraded efficiency because of turbulence, while paired vertical or hybrid wind turbines increase performance by up to 15 per cent. A recent Forbes article stated HAWTS are known to create turbulent wake issues which can decrease the output of turbines behind them by up to four per cent. With VAWTS, this problem is not only eliminated but when paired would enhance each other’s performance and make a much denser field.

The research was conducted at Oxford Brookes University in 2021. Research lead Professor Tzanakis said: “This study evidences that the future of wind farms should be vertical. VAWTs can be designed to be much closer together, increasing their efficiency and, ultimately, lowering the price of electricity.”

VAWTS also have advantages for offshore wind farms as their centre of gravity is much lower and their internal mechanics less complex. 

A Norwegian company called Worldwide Wind Company makes a hybrid wind turbine. After being contacted by The Bugle, CEO of World Wide Wind, Bjørn Simonsen stated: “We are currently in dialogue with key stakeholders in the most promising markets globally and are also open to discuss opportunities with Australian developers and suppliers.”

While World Wide Wind has not announced they are making a proposal yet to apply for a seven year Feasibility License to build in the Illawarra REZ (Renewable Energy Zone), it is very early days in the first consulting period.

The Bugle is yet to find VAWTS currently built as part of an existing offshore wind farm. 

Hydro, a major Norwegian aluminum and energy company, announced in January 2023 it is partnering with World Wide Wind to develop floating wind turbines for offshore conditions. Hydro was very critical of the fact that a land-based technology with wind turbines was simply being moved offshore. The partners now plan to move into manufacturing prototypes and building a consortium of industrial partners.

The community response to the offshore proposal for wind farms has been focused on the size of the blades, both for their visibility, but also such issues as bird strike and effect on whales. A Vertical Wind Axis Turbine would address many of those concerns.

One of the advantages for the Illawarra is the plan to manufacture locally. 

The statement says: "We have developed a turbine that can be constructed at suitable manufacturing yards locally. We have done this deliberately to secure local content and work locally."

Arthur Rorris, Secretary of the South Coast Labor council has indicated in a number of forums his strong preference for local jobs building and maintaining offshore wind turbines, while many in the anti-wind farm discussion groups on Facebook have indicated their strong opposition to wind turbines manufactured and assembled in China.

Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has pointed out the benefits for the Illawarra region. These include 2,500 construction jobs and 1250 ongoing jobs and the power generated will power 3.4 million homes and each rotation is equivalent to the average rooftop solar installation output for one day.