Last year we showed off a full size prototype of our S6i vertical axis wind turbine, which certainly turned many heads and raised a lot of interest.

Slipstream Energy S6i Turbine

Venturefest Yorkshire offers a unique opportunity to meet some of the region’s finest science and technology companies in its Innovation Showcase. The exhibition is open from 8:30 to 17:00 for more information check out the Venturefest web site www.venturefestyorkshire.net or contact Slipstream Energy at info@slipstreamenergy.com

We look forward to seeing you at this year’s event.

Team Slipstream.

The Yorkshire & Humber Innovation Awards, launched in 2008 by Yorkshire Forward, seek to celebrate and reward innovation within the region and this year’s competition saw a record number of nominations. The awards ceremony on 5th March 2009 gave recognition to the most deserving examples. With 18 shortlisted finalists, Slipstream Energy beat off fierce competition to walk away with the award for most innovative young business.

Managing Director Philip Wilson comments, “We are delighted with this recognition as it proves our innovative approach makes Slipstream stand out. Although we are still at trials stage with our main project, the award has already been helpful in taking our engineering development one step further. It has allowed us to put money into more research and development, which in turn has enabled us to advance our engineering work to a higher level.

Keighley based Slipstream Energy Ltd produces wind turbines optimised for the urban environment. Judges praised the company’s innovative approach to both product design and reduction of its carbon footprint. Wherever possible turbines are manufactured using low carbon processes and recycled materials ensuring Slipstream products are better for the environment than other product on the market.

The company is not without competition but Slipstream Energy’s unique design is the key to it’

Philip defines this unique design:: “As the turbine rotates it generates electricity, but the output is of a variable frequency and changes with the speed of the turbine, making it difficult to connect directly to the main electricity supply. Slipstream Energy has designed an inverter, a sophisticated electronic device, which converts the variable feed into useable electricity. Many conventional turbines are modular in design and without expert engineering the differential between ‘blade and converter’ can make for less efficiency. We solved this issue by designing our own matched system to allow for control of the turbine in turbulent wind conditions.”

The high level of innovation in the on-board diagnostic control unit and high-strength carbonfibre blades has made the complete product one of exceptional quality and performance.

Slipstream Energy is planning for rapid growth and expects to generate rising staff levels and increased revenue. The company is already engaging with businesses and blue chip companies wishing to install renewable technologies and it is estimated each Slipstream turbine will save an estimated 250 tons of carbon.

Slipstream Energy wind turbines will be on general sale during early 2010.

Slipstream Energy take the Innovator09 title.

Further Information
www.slipstreamenergy.com
www.yorkshire-forward.com awards link

In its 19th century heyday, Dalton Mills was the biggest employer in Keighley with more than 2,000 workers. But as the textile industry went into decline, so did the mill, and by the early part of this decade, it was largely empty.

After a recent multi-million pound development the mill is now a business centre, providing space for companies businesses Slipstream Energy is one of the latest companies to move in and has benefited from the strong engineering heritage that surrounds the mill.

Philip Wilson, managing director, said: “As a small company, we had to keep costs our down but also wanted to be located in an area rich in the suppliers we need.”

“One of the major advantages we found moving into the area is that there are some good traditional engineering companies locally that can provide us with the bespoke parts our products require. Not only is it important that we support the regional economy but also it ensures we keep the carbon foot print of the turbines as small as possible. The distances travelled by our parts are very small.”

“It maximises our efficiency and helps us to get things done quickly.”

Slipstream Energy, founded in 2007, is in the process of bringing its next generation vertical axis wind turbines to market. The old engine room at Dalton Mill has a large enough ceiling height to accommodate Slipstream Energy’s turbines which will be 15m tall when placed on its 9m tower.

Aimed at businesses looking to improve their green credentials, Slipstream Energy’s wind turbines are optimised for the urban environment were gusty conditions make traditional turbines inefficient. The aesthetically designed products are expected to be available for general sale in early 2010.

Further Information
www.slipstreamenergy.com
www.daltonmills.co.uk/

The event is billed as the place to gain ideas on cutting carbon emissions and Slipstream’s directors will be talking about generating clean energy at the point of use. New legislation to reduce carbon emissions will soon force companies to address energy efficiency in all areas of their business and so being prepared is essential.

Covering everything from the latest in wind technology to correct turbine installation, Slipstream Energy will be on hand to answer questions and ensure delegates seeking to power their companies towards a greener future can make informed decisions. Those attending the event will be able to tap into a wealth of knowledge on low carbon options designed specifically to meet the needs of business.

Slipstream Energy use the latest aerodynamic technology to produce the next generation of wind turbines, designed for super efficiency in the built environment. Traditionally seen as problematic setting for horizontal axis turbines, vertical axis wind turbines are able to cope with the turbulent conditions produced as air circulates around buildings and structures.

The round table discussion lead by experts from Slipstream Energy at the Low Carbon Exchange will seek to explain the benefits of vertical axis wind turbines and the differences between products currently on the market. Founding directors Mike Roberts and Philip Wilson, who together have over 25 years engineering experience, are keen to ensure carbon conscious businesses know that wind power is a viable option.

‘Generating green power for your company is an achievable goal, and with evolving technology, wind turbines can now make a bold impact on both your customers and your carbon footprint, said Philip Wilson’.

‘Choosing the best product for your business and ensuring the wind turbine is correctly positioned can be a minefield. We’re keen to share our knowledge of the industry and are looking forward to giving business tips on how best to lower their carbon emissions.’

Last year saw over 400 delegates use the Carbon Exchange event to share best practice and develop their plans for greener practices and this year’s event is on track to be just as successful.

Further Information
www.carbon-innovation.com/harrogate

The Leeds based company, who are looking at innovative ways of improving the efficiency of wind turbines operating in built-up areas, will be using the research grant from Yorkshire Forward to complete vital work in collaboration with the University of Leeds

Slipstream Energy will apply design and simulation techniques used by the Formula one industry to improve the aerodynamic performance of their wind turbines. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) uses complex algorithms to perform millions of calculations that simulate the flow of fluids or air across surfaces. The computer can then draw up a simulation so that the pattern of air flow can be seen on screen. This multifaceted branch of engineering is used in the design of race cars where aerodynamics are critical to fast track times.

Placing wind turbines at the point of use is a very carbon efficient method of power generation, but has the drawback that the turbines are situated in more turbulent air flows because the wind blows over and around buildings.

Teaming up with the CFD centre at Leeds University, Slipstream’s aerodynamic engineers have been analysing the performance of conventional wind turbines operating in these turbulent conditions. This preliminary work has shown that the standard propeller type turbines often seen in large wind farms suffer significant efficiency reductions when operating in built up environments .

With additional funding to take the research one step further, Slipstream Energy will now be entering the next phase of research to optimise its turbine design to address the issue of turbulent conditions and create a full-size prototype that will put the theory into practice.

Philip Wilson, Managing Director 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, Assistant Director of Business at 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”.

Slipstream Energy worked in conjunction with Bowers and Higgins Freelance to develop a website that helped to address the growing problem of energy consumption of Internet servers. The carbon emissions from electricity used to supply Internet and network servers is a significant and poorly publicised problem, with emission levels of 1 billion tones of C0₂ per annum being the same as those of the aviation industry.

The awards panel said “The winner here used a brilliantly simple idea, that the web site for a company manufacturing wind turbines should itself run on renewable energy. This helped strengthen Slipstream’s brand and highlighted the potential for the digital industry to take action about its growing carbon footprint.”

Slipstream Energy Ltd is a unique company in the North of England. It develops the next generation of urban wind turbines which help businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and make a bold and stylish statement to their customers.

View Big Chip Awards web site – click here.