The development of an electrostatic wind energy converter (EWICON)

A method of directly converting wind energy into electrical energy is proposed, called an electrostatic wind energy converter (EWICON). The method is based on transporting electrically charged particles against the direction of an electric field by the wind and accumulating them at a collector. The electrospray-method is used to create the charged particles. Two implementations of the EWICON and their properties are discussed, one with a separate collector and one with the system itself as a collector. Based on practical considerations, a choice has been made for the latter implementation. This system has been tested and this resulted in a conversion of 7% of the wind energy into electrical energy, whereas conventional wind turbine systems have an efficiency of 45% at their rated speeds. Improvements are suggested that could lead to an efficiency of the EWICON in the range of 25 - 30%.