global briefs

global briefs Hurricane-Resilient Wind Turbines Modeled After Palm Trees

Atlantic hurricanes pose risks to renewable energy wind turbines, and researchers at the University of Colorado-Boulder are developing more resilient models. Lucy Pao, the Palmer endowed chair in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, says, “We are very much bio-inspired by palm trees, which can survive these hurricane conditions.” Traditional upwind turbine blades face into the wind, so the blades must be stiff, which requires more material and increases cost. Blades on downwind rotors face away from the wind, with less chance of hitting the tower when the winds pick up, so they can be lighter and more flexible, requiring less material. Downwind blades can also bend, instead of break, like palm trees do.

Over the last six years, Pao’s team, in conjunction with collaborators at the University of Virginia, the University of Texas at Dallas, the Colorado School of Mines and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, have collaborated to develop the Segmented Ultralight Morphing Rotor turbine, a two-bladed, downwind rotor, to test the concept in action. The researchers found that their turbine performed consistently and efficiently during periods of peak wind gusts. Mandar Phadnis, lead author of a study in Proceedings of the 2022 American Control Conference, says, “The blades are manufactured to be lightweight and very flexible, so they can align with the wind loads.”

Gallery Is Back!

Our 55th Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Show and Sale Sept. 28th – Oct. 2nd, 2022

Doors Open at 5 pm until 8:30 on Sept. 28, see more hours below

Charlotte McAdams

Jerry Harvey

Anne Hussey Angela Harris

Jan Oldenburg

Sept. 28, 5-8:30 pm Sept. 29, 3-8 pm Sept. 30 3-8 pm Oct. 1, noon-5 pm Oct. 2, noon-5 pm

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond 1000 Blanton Avenue, Richmond VA 23221 United Nations to Better Represent Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) called on governments, courts and UN agencies to implement mechanisms to support and protect Indigenous peoples’ lands and lives in its 21st session, as well as more opportunities to participate in the General Assembly process. Although Indigenous voices courtesy of UN.org are currently heard, their role is constricted because only UNPFII members can make recommendations to other bodies like the Economic and Social Council or UNESCO. Indigenous nations, communities and non-governmental organizations cannot vote or speak to UN bodies, including the General Assembly, without an invitation.

At the forum, Indigenous representatives and leaders discussed how dangerous mining practices driving the green energy transition are threatening Indigenous peoples around the world, how harmful conservation practices are impacting traditional territories and the need for urgent attention on violence against Indigenous land defenders and women. Geoffrey Roth, a Standing Rock Sioux descendent and UNPFII member, says, “A basic first step for enhanced part ipation would be the United Nations recognizing that tribes have a right to be here and have a right to be able to attend.” With enhanced participation, they can engage equally with member states to ensure rights are protected and concerns are heard.

Peace Day Addresses Global Racism

Established in 1981, the United Nations-sanctioned International Day of Peace, or World Peace Day, is a holiday observed around the world on September 21 each year. The 2022 theme is “End racism. Build peace.” To that end, the Orion/Unsplash.com General Assembly has dedicated this day to observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

Secretary-General António Guterres says, “But achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms. It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race.”