Bladeless turbines could be a gamechanger in wind power industry

Engineers from the University of Glasgow (Scotland, UK) have unveiled a new design for bladeless wind turbines (BWTs) that could significantly improve the efficiency of wind power generation.

The study, published in the Renewable Energy Journal, used advanced computer simulation techniques to compare thousands of bladeless designs. Through computer analysis, the team of engineers were able to determine how mast dimensions, power output, and structural safety at different wind speeds affect a turbine’s power output. Proceeding from these data, they determined which design provided the best performance.

According to a summary of the research posted on Tech Xplore on June 13, 2025, the “key finding is that there is an optimal design for BWTs which creates a ‘sweet spot’ where power generation is maximized against structural strength.”

Based on the researchers’ conclusions, the ideal design of a BWT features a 0.8-meter mast, which is 0.65 m in diameter. This design “could safely deliver a maximum of 460 watts of power,” “significantly outpacing the best performance of even the best-performing real-world prototypes built to date, which have delivered a maximum of 100 watts,” says the same summary.

Unlike conventional wind turbines that use blades, BWTs generate electricity through a process known as vortex-induced vibration (VIV). Shaped like a slim cylinder, the turbines sway in the wind, with their motion converted into electricity.

Advances in bladeless turbine design are making the transition towards clean energy solutions more accessible. “In the future, BWTs could play an invaluable role in generating wind power in urban environments, where conventional wind turbines are less useful,” said Dr. Wrik Mallik, of the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering, one of the paper’s corresponding authors. “BWTs are quieter than wind turbines, take up less space, pose less of a threat to wildlife, and have fewer moving parts, so they should require less regular maintenance.”