Interviews » Innovative Wind Energy

Interviews with our experts on patent, technology and investment

A behind-the-scenes look at WhisperRing. Three of our experts tell the story of this revolutionary wind turbine from their own expertise.

What makes the WhisperRing unique

Interview with Eric van der Gun, the ambitious CEO of WhisperRing and Gerard van Noort.

Netherlands within ten years without fossil fuels

The WhisperRing turbine replaces the traditional shaft and hub with a large ring, leading to more efficient energy production and much lower costs. This shaft-less turbine offers technical advantages, such as less maintenance and lower weight. The light structure ensures great transportability, and suitability for floating wind energy. Although challenges remain, the WhisperRing has potential to dramatically reduce the cost of wind energy.

The development process of the WhisperRing

Interview with Niels Diepenveen, Technical Advisor at WhisperRing. A realistic roadmap for the development of the revolutionary new wind turbine.

In this video:

Development plan explained
- Detail engineering
- Prototyping
- Testing
- Workpackages
Deployment:
- Current production facility
- Scaling up manufacturing capacity
- Dependencies
Lead times and investments

Technology Requesting Information

We want to have the whole prototype running in a meadow within two years.

Niels Diepenveen

The revolutionary WhisperRing wind turbine was conceived at Delft University of Technology. The development path has begun, through prototypes to wind turbines that will eventually deliver 2 MW and more. The biggest technical challenges are the bearing ring and annular generator. First, a wind tunnel model is being developed, followed by a prototype that will be placed in the field.

The annular generator with airfoil shape provides excellent energy conversion, with the added benefit that there is much less turbulent air behind the wind turbine, allowing wind turbines to be placed much closer. This ensures a high density of energy output in wind farms.

Thanks to these benefits and cost reduction, we see WhisperRing as a crucial element in the energy transition.

N.B. Update September 2024 – Presently, WhisperRing is well advanced in development: the first wind tunnel tests and field testing of a prototype will take place in November 2024.

The revolutionary WhisperRing Technology

Interview with Eric van der Gun. Thanks to a revolutionary new design, we can generate electricity much more cheaply than before.

Earnings model Requesting Information

Dutch patent on world’s cheapest energy source

Eric van der Gun

The WhisperRing wind turbine, developed from Mega Wind Force, has the potential to revolutionize the wind industry through significantly lower material costs and higher efficiency. The technology is fully scalable, with larger turbines producing more energy without a pro rato increase in cost. The WhisperRing offers a solution to the growing demand for renewable electricity, with the potential to be applied internationally. Combined with solar power, the turbine can provide a more constant supply of power, accelerating the energy transition at lower cost, even lower than fossil fuels.

The WhisperRing revenue model.

Interview with Eric van der Gun.

In this video:

Explanation Revenue Calculation:
- Power curve and use wind atlas
- Revenue at current prices
Future price and inflation trends
- Scenario analysis
Need for self-sufficiency/autarchy
Current reservation agreement, mutual optionality

Technology Requesting Information Back to overview

Can you compare solar and wind power?

Eric van der Gun

“You certainly can. The biggest similarity is that they both cannot drive production. You don’t have complete control over when it is produced. In the beginning, both solar and wind power were very expensive to produce. A situation that is currently changing in the market.

The cost of solar and wind energy will be so low that it will be cheaper than fossil. In addition, we are also better able to store energy and use it at other times. These two important developments will allow us to increasingly meet our total energy demand.”

What is the investment for a landowner?

“We are now looking for landowners. There are several options. An investment in the WhisperRing will be between 50 and 55 thousand for them. Furthermore, of course, the spot depends on the wind situation. Each mill has a particular power curve. Based on this, the expected production can be calculated. Basically, the annual average production is determined by the turbine power curve, wind area and altitude.

Currently, energy prices are very high. The base cost for wholesale consumers and producers is around two hundred euros per megawatt hour. On top of that come all kinds of costs. Right now we see energy prices of up to four hundred euros in the market. That leaves the question of how much a landowner consumes himself.”

What does the revenue model look like?

“So ultimately the revenue model on the one hand is determined by the production which in turn is determined by the power curve, the wind area and the height of the turbine. On the other hand, by the consumption profile of the landowner himself. You can run various mathematical models that allow you to figure out approximately in which you can recoup a particular investment.

We work with reservation agreements. This actually settles a mutual optionality. When the turbine is produced, we reserve a piece of land. In return, the landowner is given an option to take the turbine from us to be able to net it themselves. What is the big advantage for the landowner is that they reserve a production slot. You know that as soon as you enter into the land reservation, there will be a turbine in the foreseeable future.

If we look at all parties with recent contracts, you’re sitting with a payback period of well under five years. Beyond that, of course, you still depend on the world situation. But no one has a grip on that. Electricity demand is likely to start rising at the same time as there is less fossil supply.

It is not only a great investment in the environment, but also one that can yield returns. Who knows, maybe there will be energy farmers in the future.”

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WhisperRing economics

Interview with Eric van der Gun

In this video:

Power curve & scalability
Electricity price curves
Material use and maintenance
Economies of scale & Mass production
Maritime performance
Positive wake effect
Potentially disruptive technology

Earnings model Requesting Information Back to overview

What makes the WhisperRing different from a conventional wind turbine?

Eric van der Gun

“The Whispering is built on technology that could greatly accelerate the energy transition. It could bring about a total change in the wind industry. This is mainly in the fact that we need much less material to build those turbines. Which allows us to drive down cost prices tremendously. Everything can be done much less and more efficiently. I would be surprised if we are still producing conventional turbines 10 to 15 years from now.

The WhipserRing stems from Mega Wind Force. In the beginning, they had some organizational struggles. That did keep me at bay at first. I then delved further into this technology and was greatly inspired. Since then, the problems within Mega Wind Force have been resolved and I work with passionate people who put turbine development first.

Is the WhisperRing scalable?

This product is fully scalable. We start with a small design of eight and a half meters. Then we can at least demonstrate that it is already delivering good returns on that scale. Eventually as this grows larger, the energy yield will increase substantially. In addition, material costs will not grow by that same factor. So the bigger, the cheaper and the more yield.

Is the WhisperRing the answer to enable the transition to fully renewable energy?

The demand for electricity will grow rapidly in the coming years. Everything becomes electric. Big steps need to be taken there. And with WhisperRing technology, you can. The moment development and testing are accomplished, we are going to be able to put down the first factories. Then the turbines can be produced on the assembly line. We can make a huge volume.

Internationally, there are certainly opportunities in the future. Especially because of the different types of turbines we offer. These are applicable on a global scale. I see a lot of future for WhisperRing internationally.

I also see a lot of future for the combination of solar and wind power. The wind just has a more constant profile than the sun. The overlap between solar and wind production hours is very limited. In the evening and nights, the wind blows harder. Especially the times when there is no sun. A bit of excess production in wind makes it possible to at least have continuous power.

Ultimately, we will produce power at a lower cost than is currently possible fossil.”

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A new board with a clear mission

Interview with Eric van der Gun. A brilliant idea deserves to be developed.

In this video:

Current MT
Shareholders
Partnerships
Event for stakeholders
State of affairs
Biggest challenges
Development and deployment plan
Help with investor search

Technology Requesting Information Back to overview

A new board with a clear mission

Eric van der Gun

“Development of the WhisperRing began in 2016. Currently, there is a very enthusiastic group of shareholders and developers involved in the development. They are all passionate people who want to move the energy transition forward.

We have within our company people who have great understanding and experience in turbine development. So there is a lot of expertise in-house, but it is not enough. We have an extensive network of consultants and contacts. In scientific corners and at other companies.

The revenue model is based on the power curve. We know what the average wind speed is in your area based on the Wind Atlas. If we then also know the height at which we can place, we will know what the production is. Then we look at your own consumption. That actually determines how much you save. That leads to payback periods of three to five years.”

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What does the ideal investor look like?

Interview with Eric van der Gun. In addition to money, we are also looking for knowledge and commitment.

Earnings model Requesting Information Back to overview

What investment is required and can everyone participate?

Eric van der Gun

“Our goal is to raise 4 million capital. That four million in capital we are going to use for development costs, a bit of risk and reserve for setbacks. Some of this amount is also needed for our organization.

We are especially looking for investors who add value to our chain. So investors who have experience in the wind industry. Or at least investors who bring expertise, competence and a network of contacts.

Of course, we would also be happy with a consortium of investors with passion and commitment to the development of the turbine.”

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Key facts

Low energy costs
The many different modules in the ring generator, can be turned on/off depending on wind speed
Thanks to technologies proven outside the wind industry, the design life is as much as 30 years
Low and easy maintenance thanks to carbon fiber reinforced composite construction
Low noise level (59 m/s < 70 dB(A), while the current industry standard is 85 m/s > 100 dB(A)
More than 80% weight savings due to the ring generator and materials used
Minimal use of rare earth metals, such as Neodymium
Reduced wake effect and thus more wind turbines possible per km2
Patented worldwide

“WhisperRing has found a combination of technologies that together enable new levels of performance.”

Interviews with our experts on patent, technology and investment

A behind-the-scenes look at WhisperRing. Three of our experts tell the story of this revolutionary wind turbine from their own expertise.

What makes the WhisperRing unique

Interview with Eric van der Gun, the ambitious CEO of WhisperRing and Gerard van Noort.

Netherlands within ten years without fossil fuels

The development process of the WhisperRing

Interview with Niels Diepenveen, Technical Advisor at WhisperRing. A realistic roadmap for the development of the revolutionary new wind turbine.

We want to have the whole prototype running in a meadow within two years.

The revolutionary WhisperRing Technology

Interview with Eric van der Gun. Thanks to a revolutionary new design, we can generate electricity much more cheaply than before.

Dutch patent on world’s cheapest energy source

The WhisperRing revenue model.

Interview with Eric van der Gun.

Can you compare solar and wind power?

What is the investment for a landowner?

What does the revenue model look like?

WhisperRing economics

Interview with Eric van der Gun

What makes the WhisperRing different from a conventional wind turbine?

Is the WhisperRing scalable?

Is the WhisperRing the answer to enable the transition to fully renewable energy?

A new board with a clear mission

Interview with Eric van der Gun. A brilliant idea deserves to be developed.

A new board with a clear mission

What does the ideal investor look like?

Interview with Eric van der Gun. In addition to money, we are also looking for knowledge and commitment.

What investment is required and can everyone participate?

Eric van der Gun

Key facts

More information about the WhisperRing?

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