Iranian researchers develop bladeless wind turbine for low-speed, multi-directional winds

The new bladeless wind turbine offers what the developers say is a quieter, more compact, and more efficient alternative to conventional wind turbines.

According to the project’s lead developer, Mohammadreza Leghaei, the turbine replaces traditional blades with a magnetic-levitation rotor and an intelligent 360-degree wind-guidance system, allowing it to capture wind energy without the need for complex yaw mechanisms that constantly reposition conventional turbines.

“The main goal of this technology is to transform wind turbines from large, expensive and noisy structures into compact, modular systems that are quieter, more durable and require far less maintenance,” Leghaei said.

Unlike conventional wind turbines, which are typically installed as a single unit on one tower, the new design allows multiple turbines to be stacked vertically, he explained.

“We can install up to ten units on top of one another, effectively creating a vertical wind power plant that significantly increases energy production within the same footprint,” he said.

According to Leghaei, the system uses a magnetically levitated rotor that minimizes mechanical contact between moving parts, reducing friction and maintenance costs while extending the turbine’s operational lifespan.

Instead of conventional blades, it features self-adjusting conical scoops that channel wind from any direction toward the rotor, enabling electricity generation even when wind direction changes frequently, he added.

According to the development team, the turbine can begin operating at wind speeds of around 2.5 to 3 meters per second, making it suitable for areas where traditional turbines struggle to generate power. The bladeless design also lowers noise levels and reduces safety risks commonly associated with rotating blades.

Leghaei also said the technology could be deployed across a wide range of environments, including urban areas, industrial sites, remote regions, ports, coastal and offshore facilities, and even marine vessels.

“The platform has also been designed to work alongside solar panels, allowing hybrid renewable energy systems to be developed in locations with both strong sunlight and favorable wind conditions,” he added.

While Leghaei estimates that the new turbine could deliver 10 to 15 percent higher efficiency than conventional wind turbines—potentially reaching 30 to 40 percent after further testing—he stressed that these figures will ultimately depend on the results of real-world performance trials.

He also said the stackable design could increase energy output per unit of land by as much as seven times compared with conventional wind turbine installations.

The invention has been granted patent protection in Iran and has also received a positive international search report under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), with all 14 patent claims recognized as novel, inventive and industrially applicable, according to the research team.

The project is now entering the prototype development stage at the Tabriz Science and Technology Park before undergoing operational validation and commercialization.

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