Bronze Energy Products, Projects and Devices Design · 2022

Fennec Turbine

by Maxim Kuzin

A' Design Award 2022 Bronze Winner in Energy Products, Projects and Devices Design
Awarded April 15, 2022
CLIENT: Max Kuzin Machinery
Estimated Number of Design Views: 26,645
Verification code 82BA12CBFE · Verify this award

Visit Site View at A' Design Award

Get a Badge

About Fennec Turbine

Fennec is a compact vertical wind turbine designed for use in city areas and on rooftops. The turbine uses a hyperboloidal rotor that works at 60 rpm, with a maximum blade speed below 26 kilometres per hour. The low speed reduces noise, vibration and kinetic risk. The larger size works as an autonomous generator that supplies other devices. The smaller size works as an autonomous ambient light source, and a mobile application changes its colour. The parts are made by waterjet cutting of aluminium, gluing and steel milling.

Press Kit

Unique Properties: The Fennec Turbine is a compact vertical wind turbine with low noise, high safety and long use. The heart of the technology is a unique hyperboloidal rotor working at 60 rpm and maximum linear velocity of blades lesser than 26 km/h. It means the lowest noise, vibrations and kinetic threat and enables to use it in the city area and on the rooftops.
Dimensions & Packaging: Rotor S - 2250 mm x 2250 mm x 6000 mm
Rotor XS - 500 mm x 500 mm x 2000 mm
Tags: wind turbine, autonomous energy source, green energy, zero emission
Production Technology: Waterjet cutting of aluminum sheets and pipes, gluing, steel CNC milling.
Design Challenge: The low rotational speed and efficiency of a vertical wind turbine are inversely proportional characteristics. It was necessary to find a fundamentally new shape of the rotor and study it in detail in order to establish the relationship of geometric parameters and optimize the design.
Project Duration: The project started in 2016 in Moscow, the first prototypes were exhibited in Moscow, Baku. In 2018, the project was awarded the STARTS Prize Honorary Mention. In 2020, he was supported by the educational and mentoring program STARTS in Motion. The first series of products based on the technology is currently being developed.
Operation Flow: The S-size turbine is used as autonomous energy generator to supply other devices.
The XS-size turbine works as an autonomous ambient light sourse, more as an kinetic art object pleasant to view and to interact with. An app in a smartphone allows to changing the color or make it follow the music or othe data stream.
Research: Having set the goal of creating a rotor that is safe for use in a populated environment, theoretical calculations were carried out that determine the main geometric parameters of the design, which allows a vertical rotor of small diameter to operate efficiently at very low speeds. Physical layouts and prototypes confirmed the necessary accuracy of the theoretical calculation model, which made it possible to design a working functional prototype. FENNEK's design is entirely dictated by CAE simulation, which determines the optimal proportions and precise turbines and geometry of its main parts.
Inspiration: Almost weightless hyperboloid shells of famous Russian engineer Vladimir Shukhov (1853 - 1939) are magnificent even being a static towers. If you make them spin they will turn to a magical kinetic sculptures.

I was passionate about to make a perfect fusion of art, machinery and arcitecture.

The wind moving the branches of the trees, as if giving them the opportunity to talk. I wanted to breathe life into this sculpture, make it a full-fledged part of the surrounding world.
Patents: Copyrights belongs to Maxim Kuzin, 2016.