December 6, 2024 |
Photo – Courtesy of Airloom Energy
Forget about giant propeller blades spinning on the Wyoming horizon attached to vertical. That’s old-fashioned technology.
A Laramie-based company is proposing to build a new type of wind turbine in Carbon County.
On Tuesday, December 3rd, representatives from Airloom Energy discussed the tech startup’s new wind turbine technology with the Board of Carbon County Commissioners. Airloom Energy Chief Executive Officer Neal Rickner explained that instead of the traditional vertical three-bladed wind turbines, now a common sight on the Carbon County landscape and elsewhere, his company plans to construct a large oval track with multiple blades tied together. As the wind blows, the blades travel along the track, which is similar to a roller coaster, to generate electricity.
The proposed Airloom wind energy system features blades that are roughly 30 feet tall running along a track suspended 100 feet in the air.
Rickner said his company has built a small-scale version of their wind turbine outside of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. The Airloom CEO said he would like to construct a football field sized track here in Carbon County to prove that the technology can work on a larger scale.
To reduce the cost of producing energy from wind, Rickner explained that traditional turbines are being built larger, requiring more expensive and advanced manufacturing, transportation, and construction techniques. Airloom Energy is going a different route. The company is using smaller, easier-to-manufacture and transport parts
The blades are expected to generate a significant amount of noise as they run along the steel track. Since the project is still in the planning stages, Rickner said he isn’t sure exactly how loud the Airloom turbines will be. However, the CEO said he expects them to make the same amount of noise as a busy highway or a roller coaster.
The new kind of machine does involve friction, so they will produce noise. Commissioner John Johnson said the sound will likely have an impact on local wildlife. Rickner said the prototype turbine will allow Airloom Energy to determine the best type of sound mitigation.
Commissioner Johnson inquired about the effect the turbines will have on the land. Rickner said while property owners will lose the land where the support pillars are located, they will still be able to access the land beneath the elevated track.
Airloom Energy consultant Heidi Larson explained that the system is modular, able to adapt in both size and shape to meet local energy needs. Larson said the tracks could be large enough to surround entire fields, with ranchers using the support columns as fence posts.
Additionally, the adaptability of the Airloom system will allow the tracks to be placed higher or lower, depending on wind patterns in the area. CEO Rickner said the turbines can begin moving with wind speeds as little as 10 miles an hour.
Not only is the Airloom system designed to operate in less windy conditions than traditional turbines, Rickner said they also use the wind energy more efficiently.
Rickner acknowledged that his company’s design has potential flaws. Since the blades run along an exposed track, the CEO said they are more vulnerable to weather conditions.
Rickner said the planned test track will help Airloom Energy identify any issues with its system and develop the appropriate solutions. Additionally, it will attract more investors to the project.
Commissioner Travis Moore asked the Airloom Energy representatives where they plan to construct their test track. Consultant Heidi Larson explained that they are close to finalizing a site in Carbon County. Once a location is determined, Larson said they’ll approach the county commissioners for authorization to begin construction.
Airloom Energy CEO Neil Rickner said he hopes to begin construction on the test track by late spring or early summer of next year. After two or three years of operation, the test site will be dismantled, and the technology will be made commercially available.
