A wind and solar power tower revolutionises electric vehicle recharging

The development of the Wind and Solar Tower began in 2007, when Jim Bardia, its inventor, was exploring renewable energy options for a friend's farm. It became clear that local wind production would not be commercially viable without new technology. Based on years of research and experience designing and manufacturing custom vehicles, Bardia decided to create an invention that combined solar and wind power. Initially conceived as a tower for agricultural use, it was later redesigned into a self-powered, high-capacity electric vehicle charging system that operates without adding load to the grid.

The company's namesake Wind & Solar Tower optimises the advantages of wind turbines and solar panels, creating a relatively compact system that generates a substantial amount of power. The tower features a vertical axis turbine that rotates independently of the wind direction, capable of generating electricity even in light winds as low as 8 km/h and withstanding gusts of up to 120 km/h. It is also equipped with a photovoltaic panel on top.

According to its creator, a single tower of this type could produce about 234.154 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, with duty cycles of 33% for the wind turbine and 45% for the solar panel. "It's like having a gas station with its own oil well," Jim Bardia said in an official statement.

This system is also capable of generating electricity autonomously without being connected to the grid, although it can always be plugged in if necessary.

This novel tower stands out for a set of smart innovations aimed at generating a significant amount of energy. Firstly, it incorporates a special levitation shaft made of permanent magnets that eliminate friction, allowing the wind turbine to rotate with minimal effort. The invention also includes a sequential transmission system, consisting of straight-cut gears and eight speeds, which adapts to different wind intensities to "extend the time it can generate electricity".

Bardia stresses that gusts of wind are common, but constant breezes are much more difficult to achieve. That is why a gearbox is an essential part of this system to provide greater flexibility. At higher wind speeds, the transmission can upshift as needed to keep the turbine speed under control and, at the same time, produce more electricity by spinning the generator faster. When there is only a light breeze, it can shift to a lower ratio to facilitate rotation.

According to Bardia, the company's patented generator has an efficiency of 92.3%, far superior to common generators, which typically have an efficiency of 50-60%. In addition, the innovative system can also charge electric vehicles at night and during windless periods by storing energy. "The tower is large enough to hold up to one megawatt in batteries," explains the developer.

The other key component of this system is the solar panel at the top of the tower, which is self-cleaning thanks to centrifugal force. Bardia explains that morning dew wets the surface, and when the turbine rotates, the water and dirt are removed. In addition, these panels are cooled because air can easily circulate underneath, which reduces heat absorption and prevents a drop in efficiency at high temperatures. The company claims its system can charge 11.707 cars per tower per year, providing 104 km of range in three minutes and 352 km after 10 minutes of charging.

The system also has a flexible and adaptable design. It can meet a wide range of needs and can be installed in a variety of locations, such as city centres, universities or petrol stations. The company is even considering a smaller version for domestic use in the future. The invention is about 18 metres high - about the same height as a road lighting pole - and 13.5 metres in diameter, with about 140 square metres of solar panels on top.

Despite its potential, this invention is not yet in production. The company is actively looking for partners and investors to start production. In terms of price, each tower costs approximately $80.000, or 76.000 euros, per DC fast charger, and each unit will have six DC fast chargers. Therefore, the total estimated price is about $480.000, or approximately 456.000 euros, per tower.

However, Bardia warns that his solar and wind tower is not a magic solution to the global problem of electric vehicle charging, but stresses that it is a significant step in the right direction towards clean, renewable electricity. "When you charge an electric vehicle off-grid, that car is polluting the atmosphere. Not as much as an internal combustion engine car or truck, but in most cases, it is only 60% better," the executive concludes.

References:

El aerogenerador con placas solares que carga miles de coches eléctricos en cualquier lugar | El Español, Omicrono, Retrieved October 1st, 2023 from: https://www.elespanol.com/omicrono/tecnologia/20231001/aerogenerador-placas-solares-carga-miles-coches-electricos-cualquier-lugar/797670449_0.html

Wind and solar tower | Wind & Solar Tower, Retrieved from: https://windandsolartower.com/