Solar Wind Energy introduces the hybrid Downdraft Tower wind power system

When we think of wind power, we often think of giant wind turbines placed on poles to exploit the high wind speeds. However, Maryland-based Solar Wind Energy, Inc. has developed a unique wind turbine design with propellers located at the bottom of the column and a self-hollowing self-created wind system that turns the turbine to produce generating electricity. Solar Wind Energy's system is called Downdraft Tower .

Described as the world's first hybrid wind renewable energy technology, the tower located at the center of the system creates a downward flow of wind that rotates turbines around the base of the tower. This is done by a series of pumps that bring water to the top of the tower at a height of 685m and here the water rises from the tower mouth in the form of fine mist. The fine mist then evaporates and is absorbed by the hot, dry gas above. Thereby, the upper stream of hot air is cooled and makes it denser, heavier than the warmer air outside the tower.

The air flow is cooled by steam then moves down the hollow body of the tower at speeds up to 80km / h. When it propagates to the bottom of the tower, the gas is directed into the wind tunnels placed around the base of the tower, rotating the wind turbine installed in the wind tunnels. Although this system requires a large amount of water to pump to the top of the tower, most of the evaporated water is collected at the bottom of the tower and continues to circulate in the system. Water pumps work thanks to a portion of the power generated by the wind turbine system.

In this way, the company believes that the system can generate electricity continuously for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year when installed in hot and dry areas although the system's output will decrease in the winter. . In addition, depending on the installation location, the system's ability to produce electricity can be supplemented by using vertical wind vents to exploit the prevailing wind direction and lead wind into the tower.

Solar Wind Energy said the company has developed special software to determine the power generation capacity of the weather-based system in geographical areas around the globe. With this software, the company can predict the daily output energy of a Downdraft tower based on installation location and size.

According to the latest design, Downdraft Tower is designed by the company for an area near San Luis, Arizona, which can reach a maximum output of 1250MWh on sunny days. However, in the winter months, the system only reaches 435MWh output.

The company stressed that once built with existing materials, equipment and techniques, the towers could operate throughout the year regardless of the wind speed, without carbon emissions, no use of fuel or waste generation.

Earlier this year, Solar Wind Energy obtained the necessary local licenses to develop the first Downdraft system near San Luis, Arizona. Last week, the Solar Wind Energy project was assisted when the company announced a financial contract with JDF Capital Inc., which would provide $ 1,585,000 to the company. In addition, Solar Wind Energy is also conducting exploration of potential areas in Mexico, the Middle East, Chile and India, which are considered the most ideal weather for technology deployment.

Below is a video describing the operation of the Downdraft Tower system: