Linear Array Wind & Storage (LAWTS)

There is a vast ocean of air above us, however wind speeds could be generally low in many places. The proposed solution is a linear array wind turbine  (LAWT) of rotors mounted pointing downwards with a foldable flat plate shroud to direct the wind to the turbines. Essentially an "air dam" which works at low wind speeds but can also handle high speeds and is perfectly protected by the moveable and foldable  flat plate shroud. Coupled with a low cost flywheel energy storage system currently under development, the FESS units are mounted in the wind turbine support mast.  Local community based assembly operations will be set up, hence benefiting the community and the country in four ways, local LAWT assembly plant creating local entrepreneurs, creation of local installation/maintenance workers and enhanced income to local households, farmsteads & communities, plus contributing  distributed renewable and stored energy to grid 

Renewable energy may be deployed in a smaller scale globally, in fact deployment of renewable PV and wind owned and operated by individuals and communities will:

- provide sustainable electricity from natural sources both for local consumption and export

- provide sustainable employment at a mid level of skill.

 - promote the setting up of distributed manufacturing facilities resulting in local value addition. 

- Additional source of income  to low-income families.

The problem to be solved is the need for different income sources in communities which are dependent on small scale or low margin agriculture. The proposed solution addresses this by providing manufacturing, distribution, installation and operation in the local community, hence one is capturing many more elements of the value chain locally

The solution Is an array of horizontal axis wind turbines mounted in a linear array and pointing downwards in the latest version, the videos show the turbines facing the wind vertically. However, downward facing turbines served by a folding flat plate shroud will be the design of the first field deployable unit, as it reduces the number of moving parts.

One single alternator will be deployed the mechanical power generated by individual turbines will be  combined and delivered to one spot where the single alternator will be mounted. The system to combine turbine outputs is very simple and this system significantly lowers capex because only one alternator is used.

The folding  flat plate shroud will ensure complete safety in high winds  and should the linkage break, the shroud will simply flip over backwards to a rest position .  Horizontally mounted turbines ensure safety even with the shroud rotated backwards.

A low cost FESS designed for installation in  the support columns is also under preliminary development, the system as a whole constitutes a renewable energy acquisition and energy storage system . However, development of a low cist flywheel system is relatively complex.

My solution serves all local communities, as follows:

- Setting up simple LAWTS part manufacture and assembly plants thereby creating relatively high skill, high value jobs locally.

- Creating a local cadre on distributors, installers and service personal, thereby further creating jobs.

 - Setting up a renewable technology development eco system which will lead to further development of local manufacture in renewable energy. 

Resiliency improvement in ecosystems must mean local empowerment whilst not damaging the environment and in this context, my solution would create sustainable local  renewable power production, an exportable income generating surplus in many locations and  retention of added value within the community. It goes towards mitigating the job losses  which might result from modern IT, by providing a meaningful and remunerative workplace to the local community, in terms of fabrication, distribution/installation, servicing/maintenance and operation.

Whilst "Concept" has been selected above, the project is in an intermediate stage between Concept & Prototype, since a field test prototype is being fabricated

Have tested the Linear Array Wind Turbine concept in the lab, with good results, presently fabricating a Proof of Concept field deployable full size system for testing in suitable locations.  Wind velocity measurements in different locations in the country are being  done. The LAWT is particularly suited to low wind regimes as it is a concentrator, but it's geometry allows it to be used in almost any wind speed regime.

The first POC unit which is a fully field deployable unit complete in all aspects suitable even for grid connect will be deployed in the next three months. However, the simple Flywheel Energy Storage System  which is proposed to be integrated is still under development and will not be deployed with the first field unit.

Because it assembles and intgrates known and proven technologies in a simple way, to provide significant benefit to rural communities. By the fact it enables capture of energy from low wind speed regimes, it puts into play areas in which wind energy has hitherto been considered financially unviable. 

It could be catalytic in promoting the local, community based fabrication/manufacture of wind turbine and energy storage systems, thereby retaining added value locally. 

The present concept might catalyse further development as follows:

- the development of low cost minimal impact run of the river type water turbines for suitable locations.

- locally assembled concentrating solar power  systems in which locally manufactured (say) parabolic troughs are connected to simple locally made power gen devices .

- locally made  automated agritech systems eg first stage automation of eg crop harvesting, with ownership of such devices in the hands of local persons.

- Innovative financing methods eg 100% debt capital with IoT based real time monitoring of devices ( even local real time monitoring centers)  to ensure  to lender asset is being properly utilized.

No persons served as yet, Prototype stage only. 

25 test installations in one year.

1,000,000 persons served in 5 years

Since the device/system is at a prototype stage, the measurable indicators will be device/system performance , at this point in time.

2 persons full time

1 person part time

The present teams task is as follows:

- Deployment & testing of first field deployable POC prototype

- Out sourced fabrication of components for 25 units, in-house assembly using additional 5 newly recruited staff members.

- Deployment and testing of 25 units in the field.

Thereafter, the business model calls for establishing franchise based manufacturing  and distribution model in the first instance in Sri Lanka and three countries in East Africa with a  Colombo based central management and monitoring organisation and central offices in the 4 countries proposed.

Special emphasis will be given to establishing an LAWTS online and physical, location based Technical School   (LAWTSTS or LAW(TS)^2) and recruitment in different countries will be positively targeted towards rural women & school leaver girls. 

- First six months basic literacy and simple technical skills

- 2nd six months specific LAWTS required technical skills, plus additional modules on solar PV, solar distributed CSB and small scale hydropower

In order to receive global exposure so that funding and investment access is facilitated. Since a global  product/service roll-out in a short period of (say) 2 - 3 years is envisaged in order to maximally impact global green house gas emissions and job creation,  maximum exposure is desired in a short period of time. Therefore being a successful Solver will result in significant exposure to global funders.

In addition   high level guidance and mentoring is sought from skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and investors active in this field. 

The business model currently proposed is essentially a distributed generation utility with individual generation capacity rangine from (say) 2 kW to 1000 or more kW m each generating facility individually owned but centrally funded and monitored from a central facility . Simple, low cost mechanical energy storage in the form of Flyweel or FESS is under development. In some cases, depending on the contract, the local generating facility may be controlled at the CSMC to maximse return to owner,  balance owners internal power needs with export to maximise income, balance utility requirements with owners needs, etc. In this manner a utility may be created with distributed generation and possibility to add generation nodes, benefiting from network effects.

In addition a franchise model has been described, both for local or regional fabrication/assembly of product plus distribution & installation and assistance is sought in this area.

Regarding the financial aspect, assistance is sought in identifying global grant funds with special interest in renewables and pitching to them.

In Product/Service assistance is sought to fine tune the proposed model to achieve maximum market penetration.

For Example

David & Lucile Packard foundation

Ford Foundation

The business model integrates a technical school  with the commercial business, with online, classroom and hands-on practical training in renewable areas. The training will cover engineering and relevant science plus basic coding & hardware/software development, the latter looking at IoT based sensors, etc. Further, is envisaged basic training will be provided in other renewable tech ie PV, batteries etc.

In addition, setting up of LAWTS units in areas under stress will provide economic opportunity to displaced persons and others. 

As a later point in time the proponent might like to engage in a discussion with  GM concerning another technology under development, ie a recip engine based variable pressure CAES, the same technology can be used for small biomass power plant.

 Trained, skilled staff is required at all levels in the different parts of the project nd since distributed energy generation is the concept, training and employment of women and school leaver age girls will be a crucial aspect. The LAWTSTS experience will be tailored to be of interest to women and school leaver girls. 

Therefore the Innovation for Women prize will be used to provide training and then remunerative and satisfying career pathways for women and girls, including the opportunity to become small to medium scale entrepreneurs in their own right.