Credit: Clean Energy Wind Tower Inc./ CleanTechnica
http://cleantechnica.com/2013/02/02/low-cost-wind-power-from-manmade-wind/
Two problems with this system are:
• Water supply required — areas which have a plentiful supply of solar energy but little water (hot deserts) are unsuitable
• Energy required to pump water to the top of the tower. As explained in the article, 33% of energy generated by the system is consumed internally.
Both of these problems are avoided by this system which uses an updraft tower:
Credit: EnviroMission/ geek.com
http://www.geek.com/articles/geek-pick/solar-tower-in-arizona-to-power-150000-homes-for-80-years-20110726/ / low cost wind power regions wind conditions aren’t exactly optimal for powering a wind turbine transmission lines Grain Belt Express third option on the horizon if all goes well for Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc developed energy efficient generate wind steady reliable stream technology promising ARPA-E Department of Energy cutting-edge cutting edge research funding arm low cost wind power man-made man-made wind technology Solar Wind Downdraft Tower hybrid system that harnesses solar energy create wind infrastructure large cylindrical tower powerful downdraft created water mist spray meets hot dry air heat air in the tower system relies ambient energy Sun introduced fine mist across top tower evaporates air becomes cooler denser air falls through the tower reaching speeds excess 50 mph 50mph bottom tower wind diverted into tunnels wind turbines are located prevailing wind conditions region company outfitting the tower vertical wind vanes that capture additional wind energy basic technology best suited regions where ambient temperature water supply are sufficient plentiful system cost effectiveness water gets to the top of a tower energy pumped system generates enough wind energy power its own operation plenty left over capacity current design Downdraft Tower generating hourly basis, 2,500 megawatt hours gross approximately 1/3 will be used to power its operations normal to ideal circumstances potential hourly yield 1,100 1,500 megawatt hours available for sale to the power grid Downdraft Towers to Silos Obviously, Clean Wind is banking on bigness, but you can see the same basic concept at work at the other end of the scale. One example is a system for small and medium-sized farmers to generate low cost wind power by converting their existing silos to create a steady, compressed air flow strong enough to power a small wind turbine partly funded U.S. US USA U.S.A. Department of Agriculture grant of $100,000 developer of the technology Air Force veteran Arkansas native sustainable rural economy enabling small communities to remain viable Clean Wind has formally changing the company name to Solar Wind Energy Tower Inc. solar panels efficient solar energy generator Arizona desert produce renewable energy higher efficiency solar panel currently solar energy generator Solar Tower EnviroMission hot air produce power convection thermal /
