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California-Energy-Commission-Sponsored Wind Project Quintuples Energy Output for Lower Cost

FULLERTON, Calif., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ — California-Energy-Commission (CEC)-sponsored Selsam Innovations of Fullerton (www.selsam.com), California, announced today that its unique design of using several rotors on a common drive shaft to capture wind energy provides five times the energy output of a conventional, single-rotor turbine of the same diameter. The concept, also referred to as "co-axial, multi-rotor wind turbine" and pioneered by Selsam principal, Doug Selsam, combines the lightweight blades and high revolutions per minute (RPM) of a small turbine with the increased swept area and greater power output of a larger turbine. A single drive shaft tilted at a 25-degree angle exposes each rotor to its own airflow. The high RPM allows a direct-drive generator, eliminating the need for gearing between the shaft and the generator and reducing installation and operation costs. "We have reduced the array-turbine concept with its known power-gathering advantages, to a single moving part," said Selsam. "The result is greater energy capture per installation dollar spent." In tests funded by the CEC, Selsam's patented, experimental prototype "Superturbine" produced 4,000 watts of electricity at winds of 27 mph. "Compared to a single-rotor turbine of the same diameter which nominally produces 800 watts, output has been multiplied by […]

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Cable Billionaire Funds New Ocean Research Initiative

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pennsylvania, August 4, 2004 (ENS) – The Lenfest Foundation, Inc. announced Tuesday the establishment of the Lenfest Ocean Program, a six year, $20 million applied research initiative, to further understanding of the problems affecting the world's oceans and to promote the sustainable management of ocean resources. "The conservation of ocean habitat is a vital part of the public trust, yet we know relatively little about life in the sea," said Gerry Lenfest, who chairs the Lenfest Foundation. "If we are to meet its responsibility as stewards of the oceans, we must increase our understanding of the problems affecting the world's marine environment, and move more aggressively to identify and implement solutions before it is too late. That is the goal of the Lenfest Ocean Program." Established in 2000 by cable television billionaire H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest and his wife Marguerite, the Foundation is dedicated to supporting programs in the areas of education, arts and the environment. The announcement of the new initiative comes at a time when scientists, fishermen, and policymakers are calling for increased support of ocean research. The Congressionally mandated U.S. Oceans Commission will soon deliver its final report on U.S. ocean policy. The commission's draft study says […]

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