Science Fiction Dictionary
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

 

Heat Waver - The First Ever Combo Solar Collector And Wind Turbine

The Heat Waver is supposedly the very first combination wind turbine AND solar collector ever made. It is not the first time anyone ever THOUGHT of such a thing, however.


(Heat Waver Combination Solar Collector And Wind Turbine)

Is the first photovoltaic turbine in history causing a strange effect on the environment? Before analyzing the impact that this innovation has had on the environment, it is necessary to understand that this is a photovoltaic turbine that utilizes a hybrid energy generator responsible for combining solar and wind power. Called the Heat Waver, this novel structure seems to be living up to its name whilst keeping energy outputs constant despite low wind periods. This photovoltaic turbine can turn its photovoltaic rotor itself into a source of solar energy, but recent reports show somewhat of the strange side effects that this turbine has on the atmosphere.

The Heat Waver is said to break the expectations of what turbines can do. The Heat Wave has rotor blades lined with photovoltaic materials similar to those of solar panels. Conventional wind turbines, on the other hand, depend solely on kinetic energy from the wind to turn the blades that power the generator. The advantage is that The Heat Waver can continue harnessing the sun’s energy even when the wind slows down, as the blades can convert sunlight into energy.
(Via ecoticias.)

Science fiction writer Simpson Stokes wrote a story called Down on the Farm, published in Thrilling Wonder Stories in 1937, that described a hybrid wind-solar device. He called it a wind-suncatcher:


(Wind-Suncatcher from 'Down on the Farm' by Simpson Stokes)

Farmer Geary watched the Nibbler at work. He saw beyond it the vast three-storied acreages of his Multiple-Crop “Flats,” incongruously tilted on the side of Durdleberry Slopes in the distance. The bizarre shadow of the combined Wind-Suncatcher, like a spray of tulips mounted fanwise on a rotating mast, slanted across the meadow.

“This is good,” said Geary, rubbing his hands. “This is fine.”

Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 5/29/2025)

Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.

| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |

Would you like to contribute a story tip? It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add it here.

Comment/Join discussion ( 0 )

Related News Stories - (" Engineering ")

China Steals Strato Airship Design From Google App Engine
'...war-balloons, or, as it would be more correct to call them, navigable aerostats.' - George Griffith, 1893.

Biohybrid Jellyfish Explore The Ocean
As predicted, and detailed, by science fiction writers!

3D-Printed Exoskeleton Learns From Your Hand
'...small electric motors at the principal joints worked the prosthetic framework by means of steel cables...' - Fritz Leiber, 1968

Smartwatch Powered By Slime Mold
'Living protoplasm incorporated into the Ampek F-a2 recording system...' - Philip K. Dick, 1966

 

Google
  Web TechNovelgy.com   

Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.

 

 

 

 

Science Fiction Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's   1950's
1960's   1970's
1980's   1990's
2000's   2010's

Current News

RoboBallet The Dance Of Cooperative Robots
'...an integrated seven-unit robot team.'

Chrysalis Generation Ship to Alpha Centauri
'This was their world, their planet — this swift-traveling, yet seemingly moveless vessel.'

Alexa+ And Its AI Brain Improvements
'What's it do?' he asked. 'It amuses.'

Does CloneRobotics Offer A True Android?
Is this What Little Girls Are Made Of?

Brain Implant Is Able To Capture Your Inner Dialogue
'So you see, you can hide nothing from me.'

Are AIs Going Rogue Like Hal 9000
'I know that you and Frank were planning to disconnect me...'

Animated Tumblebugs On Astounding Cover!
'Gaines and Harvey mounted tumblebugs, and kept abreast of the Cadet Captain...'

LingYuan Vehicle Roof Drones Now Available, ala Blade Runner 2049
Accompanied by a small selection of similar ideas from science fiction.

China Steals Strato Airship Design From Google App Engine
'...war-balloons, or, as it would be more correct to call them, navigable aerostats.'

The First Space Warship For Space Force
'Each of the electrical ships carried about twenty men...'

Biohybrid Jellyfish Explore The Ocean
As predicted, and detailed, by science fiction writers!

Should AIs and AI Robots Demand Rights?
'This robot is a creature... It is a manlike being. Therefore, like any other talking, thinking man, he is entitled to a court trial!'

Robot Learns Human Tool Usage By Imitation Learning
'I got one of those new electronic cameras...'

Companion Caregiver ChatGPT Dolls
'Every Artificial Friend is unique, right?'

'Pregnancy Humanoids' From China Replace Moms
'A great many of these synthetic babies were made...'

Man Builds 200 Foot Basement Firing Range
'The basement was huge... carved deep into the rock.'

More SF in the News Stories

More Beyond Technovelgy science news stories

Home | Glossary | Invention Timeline | Category | New | Contact Us | FAQ | Advertise |
Technovelgy.com - where science meets fiction™

Copyright© Technovelgy LLC; all rights reserved.