REVIEW ON ELECTROSTATIC WIND ENERGY CONVERTER

Wind energy is converted to electrical energy by letting the wind move charged particles against the direction of an electric field. The advantage of this type of conversion is that no rotational movement, which occurs in conventional wind turbines, is required. An electrostatic wind energy converter (EWICON) has been developed. Charged particles have been created using two spraying methods, electro hydrodynamic atomization and high pressure monodisperse spraying. Using both methods, wind energy has been converted to electric energy and delivered to an electrical load with positive efficiency.

On EWICON charged droplets are moved by the wind. Due to charge movement, a current is generated which can be converted to be connected to the power grid. Apart from the positive impact on maintenance costs, it would also mean that this type of energy converter would produce less noise than a wind turbine, making it a candidate for placement on tall buildings