Wingsail - type of renewable multi-energy platform by PlugableFuture.com
Pitch
Oracle 2013 America's Cup boat was powered by a wingsail. I propose land based wingsails covered with flexible solar panels.
Description
Summary
Wingsail is a Multi-Energy platform discussed at non-profit website: PlugableFuture.com
Definition of Multi-Energy: single platform holding multiple types of renewable energy generation.
The 2013 America's Cup was a contest using catamarans with wingsails, similar in design to airplane wings. Wind flows over wingsail and uplift drives sail boat forward.
Build stationary wingsails on land to generate wind energy. Internal gearing systems convert wind energy to electricity. This is less efficient than wind turbines.
If flexible solar panels are on top and bottom surfaces of wingsail, wind and solar energy can be generated at same time.
During bright windless days, wingsails face the sun and only solar energy is generated.
On windy days, wingsails rotate to generate largest combined energy from wind and sun. At night, wingsails generate just wind energy.
Wingsails will be a maximum of 100 feet high.
Shorter wingsails could be placed in dense urban areas.
Category of the action
Reducing emissions from electric power sector.
What actions do you propose?
Who will take these actions?
Where will these actions be taken?
How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?
What are other key benefits?
Benefits of wingsails are:
* Zero emissions during operation
* Minimal noise
* 24 hours per day production of renewable energy possible
* Ease of access for repairs and maintenance
* Unlike wing turbines, no fatal bird strikes from whirling blades
* Visually attractive and suitable for urban environment
What are the proposal’s costs?
Unknown.
Cost for individual wingsails will be cheaper then large wind turbines.
Due to its size, mass production of wingsails is possible.
Time line
Related proposals
Several related energy, food and economical proposals are discussed in website about Sustainable Cities: PlugableFuture.com
By:
PlugableFuture.com
