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Windfeel Project
Wind energy remains one of the most promising pillars of the energy transition, yet traditional turbine designs face major challenges in cost, durability, and adaptability. Conventional horizontal-axis turbines are efficient but expensive, while existing vertical-axis models — better suited for local energy production — suffer from short lifespans and complex maintenance requirements.
Windworks has developed a new generation of vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) that empower industries, farmers, and communities to produce clean electricity on-site. Their patented real-time blade control system significantly enhances aerodynamic performance and extends turbine lifespan up to five times compared to standard designs. However, the system relies on a delicate network of internal pressure sensors, tubes, and electronics embedded in each blade — a solution too complex and costly for large-scale deployment.
To unlock the full potential of its smart turbines, Windworks needed a simpler, cheaper, and more reliable sensing system — one that could scale easily, be retrofitted on existing turbines, and make intelligent blade control truly viable for mass adoption.
reduction in sensor and assembly costs per blade
The Windfeel project introduces the world’s first retrofit pressure belt for real-time aerodynamic control. This thin, flexible belt wraps around the outside of the turbine blade, integrating miniature MEMS pressure sensors and electronics into a weatherproof, aerodynamic housing.
The innovation lies in its simplicity: instead of embedding fragile sensors inside the blade, the belt functions as an “adhesive patch” that can be easily applied, removed, or replaced in under an hour. It provides precise, high-frequency (1 kHz) pressure data directly from the blade surface, enabling continuous aerodynamic optimization. The result is a lightweight, modular, and scalable sensing solution that drastically reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs while improving reliability and performance.
By decoupling the sensors from the blade structure, Windfeel enables the use of standardized, low-cost aluminum blades, simplifies maintenance by 80%, and eliminates failure-prone components such as air tubes and fittings. The belt’s plug-and-play design makes it ideal for retrofitting existing turbines, allowing Windworks’ smart control technology to spread across both new and legacy installations.
This innovation not only advances vertical-axis wind turbines but also opens applications in drones, marine sails, and other aerodynamic systems. It embodies the convergence of Swiss engineering and clean-tech entrepreneurship — turning a mechanical challenge into an elegant, scalable solution.
“Windfeel makes aerodynamic intelligence accessible — it’s the missing piece to scale distributed wind energy.”
By funding the Windfeel R&D project, Fondation Valery supports a key technological leap for decentralized renewable energy. This innovation removes one of the final technical barriers to large-scale deployment of affordable, high-performance vertical-axis wind turbines — enabling local actors to take control of their energy production and reduce dependence on centralized grids.
As Windworks continues to refine the design through wind tunnel testing and field validation, the project positions Switzerland at the forefront of smart wind innovation. Each step toward smarter, lighter, and more accessible turbines brings us closer to an energy model where power is produced where it’s needed — cleanly, reliably, and locally.
