Wind Tree Concept - Wind Power

"Wind/Kelp Tree": Second generation technology for generating electrical power from wind. The "Wind Tree" concept was conceived by Inventor, Richard Malcolm Dickson, and previously featured on the Pure Energy Systems (PES WIKI) website. It is a passive power harvesting technology, which uses piezoelectric Active Fiber Composite (AFC) textiles, cut into leaf shapes, and linked in series on an artificial tree support structure, complete with faux plastic bark. As such the "Wind Tree" resembles a real tree, and performs many of the functions of a live tree, such as ground cooling and small animal habitat, while generating electricity in low wind velocity areas without the use of wind turbines. Wind Trees can be sited closer to the main power grid, even in residential areas, unlike traditional wind turbines, which must be sited in distant very windy areas, since the Wind Tree's AFC artificial leaves themselves generate voltages from low speed wind vibrations. Currently, commercial power production from "Wind Trees" is more expensive than from conventional wind turbines, when figured on a traditional cost comparison basis; however, when environmental costs, power transmission, and life cycle maintenance costs are factored in, "Wind Trees" are very close in cost competitiveness to traditional wind generators. Mr. Dickson also invented a derivative of the Wind Tree concept he terms the "Kelp Tree", which functions in much the same way, but bio-mimics ocean kelp, rather than trees. Basically, long strands of AFC material, supported in the water column by flotation buoys, are tied to a seabed frame, and linked in series and then to shore via a buried power cable. The constant movement of ocean swells, currents, and tides provide the vibrations necessary to activate the AFC textiles to generate electricity. An added benefit is that the artificial kelp forest is sited close to shore, reducing power transmission costs, and the artificial kelp forest thus created can provide critical habitat for ocean fish, crustacean, mollusk and other species. As advances in piezoelectric materials science continue, the Wind/KelpTree concepts will undoubtedly play a role in future electrical power generation schemes.

If you would like to contact Rick Dickson please email hydroman1213@yahoo.com or call his cell phone 971-227-9085

Interview with Inventor Rick Dickson on his Air Water Generator Concept

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