production to “catch on,” it must be economically competitive. The chart lists the Levelized Electricity Cost (LEC) of different methods of generating electricity. Method / Fuel LEC (average cents/kWh, United States) Non-R&EF Coal 6.3 Natural Gas 6.3 Nuclear 6.8 R&EF Large Hydroelectric 2.4 Geothermal 5.0 Large Wind Farms 4-6 (w/out Tax Credit, depending on location) Biomass 9.0 Solar (Concentrating) 10-15 (depending on type) Solar (PV) 20-25 In most developed cultures hydroelectric power is at or near saturation and geothermal is available only in certain geographic areas. Wind, therefore, is the least expensive, widely applicable form of R&EF power generation and costs roughly the same as Non-R&EF. The current Zeitgeist is to burn fuel to generate power. It is, therefore, easier to get approval for, and investors for, fossil fuel/nuclear powered plants. Imagine, however, an innovation that cuts the cost of wind power in half (down to hydroelectric levels). I predict when wind power becomes twice as profitable as non-R&EF methods, problems with Zeitgeist, approvals and lack of investors will evaporate. Preliminary tests of The New Approach to the Tornado Wind Energy Conversion System by Dr. Chattot at the University of California at Davis indicate that the TWECS design has the potential to produce a ten-fold increase in power over a conventional horizontal-axis wind turbine. This translates into a LEC of 2.5 to 3; roughly the same as hydroelectric power. And the TWECS can be made to any scale from multi-megawatt size to small community or even household size.

Describe the critical need your solution addresses.

The TWECS is past the Proof-of-Concept stage. The design has demonstated the ability to create, contain and concentrate a tornado-like vortex within the tower’s circular core.

The next step is the construction of scale-model prototypes with interchangeable, modular parts to be wind-tunnel tested. All aspects of airflow in, around and through the tower will be accurately measured and recorded during repeated testing with different modular parts. The purpose is to collect comprehensive data to formulate a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Model.
Once we have a CFD model, we can use it to make certain predictions regarding power generation, efficiencies, LEC, etc. But, most importantly, the model can point the way to changes in the tower’s design that will maximize its operating efficiency. Repeated wind-tunnel testing will lead to an optimized design.

The next step is field-testing a scale model. This step is similar to wind-tunnel testing only it is done outside with real wind. The model will be set up in a suitably windy location and, like wind-tunnel testing, all aspects of airflow will be measured and recorded. The data collected will further refine the CFD model, validate that it has real world applicability and point the way to further refinements of the design.

Simultaneous with the aforementioned steps will be the development of the Power Conversion System. The components of the PCS: double DAWT design, Tom Chalk’s bicycle-wheel turbine, direct-drive linear induction rim generator, Dr. Post’s Inductrack System and electro-mechanical batteries have all proved their worth in other fields, but have never been used together in a wind-turbine application. Getting all these components to work in harmony with each other and in harmony with the tower will likely take some experimentation.

Explain your initiative in more depth and its stage of development.

Environmental:

Wind energy reduces: dependence on fossil fuels, air & water pollution, greenhouse gas emmissions and climate change.

Safety & Security:

Distributed generation helps safeguard against potential terrorist threats.

Economic:

For every 1 MW of installed capacity, wind power creates 22 jobs.

Wind power creates 27% more jobs than coal fired plants and 66% more jobs than natural gas power plants.

A 250MW project generates $14,000 annually to farmers and landowners. Shared ownership generates even more jobs and income.

Property tax payments can provide $10,000 per MW of installed capacity. That’s revenue rural communities can use to build schools, roads, bridges, etc.

Since wind is free and does not depend on fossil fuels, wind energy offers greater price stability.

The TWECS can be mass produced and can be manufactured in any size from large multi-megawatt units down to household units.

How does your strategy and approach respond creatively and comprehensively to key issues?

I do not have a degree in mechanical, aeronautical or elecrical engineering. Nor do I have any practical experience in the wind power industry.

I do have the motivation and fortitude to see this project through to fruition.

I am good at figuring things out.

I do have the creativity to overcome any obstacles that stand in the way.

I have the ability to capture the imagination of two highly esteemed and accomplished scientists: Dr. Jean-Jacques Chattot (PhD), Professor & Chair of the Department of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering, University of California at Davis and Dr. Richard Post (PhD), Senior Scientist and Professor-in-Residence at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Dr. Chattot and Dr. Post have been very kind and generous with donations of their time, effort and creativity over the years helping me present papers at 2 World Wind Energy Conferences. They have offered this help because they see in the TWECS an opportunity to reduce our energy dependence on nonrenewable and polluting sources and to increase our energy independence through a renewable and environmentally friendly source.

And last, but not least, I have the power of an idea whose time has come.