Wind Energy Transforming Electrostatic Reaper

To address the Army’s need for an inconspicuous, non-rotating compact wind energy system, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Wind Energy Transforming Electrostatic Reaper (WETER). This proposed system is based on a new design that utilizes in-house developed components and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The innovation in electret-based technology and use of a new material with an extremely high capacity for an implanted electric charge will enable the system to generate >3 kW of electric power at a wind speed of 10 m/s in a volume <9 m^3. As a result, this system offers high power density, lightweight modular design, and zero consumption of any materials, which directly address the TRADOC Pam 525-66 and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ERDC/CERL requirements for a wind-driven power generator for operating at base camps. In Phase I, POC will evaluate the WETER electro-kinetic approach to wind energy conversion by means of identifying design and manufacturing methods capable of delivering 1.5 to 3 kW of power with a wind resource of 10 m/s and demonstrate the feasibility of WETER system by demonstration of conceptual prototype. In Phase II, POC plans to design and fabricate the prototype of WETER system.