Revolutionary ‘Bladeless’ Wind Generator.
How does a “windmill” without mechanically moving parts work? This is the question currently being answered by Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in Holland. The model-EWICON (Electrostatic WInd Energy CONvertor) was designed by Mecanoo architects and uses charged droplets of water to generate electricity.
This method of electricity generation is actually more efficient and cost-effective than traditional wind turbines. Turbines rely on wind energy converting to mechanical energy before being converted to electrical energy via a generator. The EWICON cuts out the middle man and produces electricity directly from the movement of charged particles blown by the wind against the direction of an electric field. The positively charged water droplets are released from a container which leaves a negative charge behind. The wind then blows the droplets against a positively charged electrode. Ingeniously, the combination of both actions creates a potential difference, a current. Quite an amazing invention.
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About the author: Conor Hughes works as a Marketing Executive at Life Science Recruitment