Wind power technology invested by billionaire Bill Gates' Foundation is 75% cheaper

Airloom Energy (USA) has just introduced a new technology to develop wind power. Neal Rickner, CEO, said that Airloom's technology brings a breakthrough in reducing the total cost of energy (LCOE), while solving the capital challenges that have long hindered the wind power industry.

For many years, the goal of developing wind power has been to make it more efficient and easier to install. The size and complexity of horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) has been increasing.

Wind turbines continue to grow in size, with each blade longer than a football field. A new offshore turbine installed in China is as tall as a 50-story building. Building the base of a standard turbine can require 40 truckloads of concrete.

But efforts to replace HAWTs have failed, due to a failure to combine power output, low capital costs and system durability.

With a simple, mass-manufacturable design, Airloom takes a completely different approach. The new design allows for increased energy density and a smaller footprint, without the need for extensive infrastructure like conventional turbines.

Instead of the usual three large blades on a single tower, this design features columns nearly 25m high, supporting a track with vertical blades more than 10m long.

As the wind blows, the blades move along the track, generating energy. This innovative approach allows the blades to create mechanical force, similar to the way traditional turbine blades rotate a gearbox.

IE photo ratio 19201080 5.jpeg — New wind power technology. Photo: IE

Traditional wind turbines are large because the longer blades can move faster at the tips, generating more energy. However, this new design achieves the same power output with fewer components.

Using less material significantly reduces investment costs. This design costs less than conventional turbines. Installation is also easier.

Unlike traditional turbines, which typically require large cranes for installation, the components of this new system can be easily transported on tractor-trailers, allowing wind power to be installed in previously inaccessible locations, according to Airloom.

Airloom is launching a pilot project in Wyoming in 2025. The company has received a $13.75 million investment from a Bill Gates foundation.

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