Wind turbine. Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). It has four curved blades that are attached at either end to a vertical rod around which they rotate. Heavy equipment like gearboxes and generating machinery can be put near to the ground, reducing the structural support the turbine requires. It also works equally well regardless of the wind direction. However, it is not self starting and is vulnerable to damage in high winds. The turbine, owned by Sustainable Energy Technologies, is part of an experimental 1.5 MW wind power plant in Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada. This design was proposed by the Frenchman Georges Darrieus in 1931.