Gear trains can be eliminated and at the same time conventional synchronous generators can be used since GVT is capable of high-speed ratios by itself. Wind forces are prevented from reaching all the components other than the turbine and the gust energy can be stored in the inertia of the turbine, limited by allowable speed, to be used later.

Maximum capture of energy and controllability can be achieved at comparatively low cost, simply by controlling the variables of GVT and power electronics are not required.

The ability of GVT to transmit power from an oscillating collector input device to a constant speed generator without the use of any gears raises exiting prospects for wave power applications.

A GVT unit used in conjunction with a conventional generator should be a lot cheaper than a gear system used in conjunction with unconventional generators and power electronics. Recent trends to do away with gearbox and direct couple the turbine to the generator increases the cost of the generator; use of permanent magnets raises issues such as rare earth elements and controllability. The use of superconductors raises reliability issues.

Cost of wave power generation can be reduced by directly coupling a high speed generator to GVT.

The size of GVT is dictated by the size of the gyroscopic rotor required to provide the inertia. The inertia required in turn is dependent on the speed of the gyroscopic rotor itself and on the input speed. The higher the speed values the smaller the rotor size. Therefore the size of the rotor is dependent on many factors. Indicative sizes if single rotor is used for wind power generation are as follows: (Practical arrangements will require multiple GVT units operating at phase differences coupled in parallel). 

 KW:                                             10            100           1000
Rotor Diameter (mm):            120          280            600 
                     

The rotor inertia increases rapidly as the diameter of the gyroscopic rotor increases and this is reflected in the above values.

Since GVT can be designed in many configurations and as an inline unit or as right angled units retrofitting is possible structure and space permitting.

The only power loss of any significance occurs at the bearings. Efficiency values of 95% are achievable.

Technically there is no limitation except at the lower end. Economic considerations such as gyro speed and allowable rotor speed will determine optimum speed range.

Yes. Properly designed and manufactured to high standards GVT should be relatively free from maintenance. Operating the GVT requires only very basic feed-back control to adjust the gyro speed and or the input stroke range according to the wind speed. A prominent wind energy consultant (Garrad Hassan and Partners Ltd ) carried out a study on GVT and concluded that GVT has potential to be cost effective as the following table illustrates.

Yes. In fact constant speed synchronous generators can be used. This is one of the reasons GVT will reduce the cost of generation.

Yes. Because the only effect of the gusts will be to increase the turbine speed and hence affect the GVT due to that increased speed. Gust forces are isolated from the other components as well.

This depends on the design speed of the rotor. The energy supplied to the rotor is initially one off and no more than to speed up an equivalent disc. During operation, the energy loss that occurs at the bearings should be continuously catered for. The bearing losses depend on the bearing type. For example if anti-friction bearings are used this amount is very small. The size of the motor will depend on the response rate required if the gyro speed is to be adjusted. It is possible to operate with constant gyro speed and still achieve variable speed operation.

None. However GVT stands to gain from technology development in the areas of bearings, lightweight high strength alloys and one-way clutches. GVT inventor Mr M. Jegatheeson has developed a unique one way clutch invention especially suited to requirements of GVT.

There are considerable additional advantages for both wave and tidal power. The absence of noisy gears is a unique advantage of GVT for tidal power generation, alleviating concerns about the impact of noise pollution on marine life. Since wave devices can be of oscillating type, GVT can be operated without the need for converting rotary input to oscillatory input. Heavy duty hydraulics can be avoided and faster generators can be used without gears for tidal current.