The new MagLev wind turbine is expected take wind power technology to the next level by using magnetic levitation.

One large MagLev wind turbine could generate one gigawatt of clean power (vs. five megawatts for the largest conventional wind turbines), enough to supply energy to 750,000 homes. It would also increase generation capacity by 20% over conventional wind turbines, decrease operational costs by 50%, and be operational for about 500 years due to friction-free operation.

Construction began on the world’s largest production site for maglev wind turbines in central China on November 5, 2007.

Update, Dec. 13, 2007: KurzweilAI.net is unable to find independent verification for the claims cited in this article. -Ed.