What's the deal on Maglev generators?

Question

I understand that the Chinese are constructing Maglev generators as we write. they also have representatives in the U.S. that are trying to sell them. I'll list all the positive things that they are saying about them. I would like to know about the negative side. If none, why aren't we pushing for more of these?

- Boosts wind generator capacity by 20%(over wind turbines).

- Lowers operating costs by 50%.

- Overall cost 5 cents per kilowatt.

- Lower minimum wind speed adds 1000hrs operating time. (3m/s (6.6mph).

- Rated at 1 gigawatt per unit.

- 50 yrs life span on blades.

- Requires less land.

Answer 1

The only negatives for the Maglev units is the lack of operating data, and unknown fabrication, erection, and operating costs.

Until it is proven by operating data from units that are actually running and are in-service, and until it is verified that it would be easier and less expensive to fabricate to construct the Maglev Generators, you won't find a lot of people ready to jump in and be the first to build a bunch of them.

Answer 2

do you mean these (see below)?

From the article, they are just wind turbines with lower friction due to mag-lev bearings.  If they are indeed practical, I'm sure you will see them being used in lots more places.  People who design wind turbines are not stupid, they will use this if it saves money or operating cost or increases power.

CHANGSHA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Construction began on the world's largest production base for magnetic levitation (maglev) wind power generators in central China on Monday.

    The Guangzhou-based Zhongke Hengyuan Energy Technology Co. Ltd. invested 400 million yuan in building the base for the generators, from which it expects a yearly revenue of 1.6 billion yuan.

    The base will produce a series of maglev wind power generators with capacities ranging from 400 to 5,000 watts in the first half of 2008, said a company statement.

    The maglev generator co-developed by the company and Guangzhou Energy Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences is expected to create new opportunities for harnessing wind power in low-wind-speed areas, as it can utilize winds with starting speeds as low as 1.5 meters per second.

    The problem of the traditional wind turbines was that they require high wind speeds to start, because of the friction caused by their bearings, said Li Guokun, chief scientific developer of the new technology.

    The frictionless maglev generator would cut the operational expenses of wind farms by up to half, keeping the overall cost of wind power under 0.4 yuan per kilowatt-hour, said Li.

    Since it was unveiled at the Wind Power Asia Exhibition 2006 in Beijing, the technology has garnered interest in a dozen Chinese cities and more than 50 countries and regions in the world.

    The Zhongke company said the generator could be used on islands, in observatories, and television transfer stations, and even provide roadside lighting along highways by utilizing the airflow generated from passing vehicles. (One U.S. dollar equals 7.5 yuan)