A new system of generating electricity from the clouds

Recently, two designers from Russia announced the beginning of construction of the first full-size, fully functional prototype managed tethered balloon, floating high in the sky and collects condensation from the clouds, turning it into clean water and using it to start and run an electric turbine generator that produces electricity.

The developers also conducted a feasibility study showing the possibility of expanding the technology to production of water and energy in industrial scale.





The concept of Air HES system (Air hydro-power, Aero or hydro) included three proven technologies – water vapor condensation, and hydro generation UAV. The balloon rises to an altitude of about 2,100 meters (this is the level of the clouds in the middle troposphere) and expands in the air large mesh "curtain" for condensate, similar to the system of water collection, previously developed by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of technology.





The condensed water runs down the mesh to surround the air tank, where the water is the pipe under the action of gravity will go down to the ground. According to the developers, the force of water pressure at the earth's surface will be enough to run a turbine generator to generate power. And the "curtain", being located at 1,200 metres above sea level, is able to collect up to 4 liters of water per hour on each square meter of mesh.

The designers calculated that a full-sized air tank with a diameter of 18 meters has a capacity of more than 3,100 pounds, it's more than enough to hold the weight of the vertical tether and accumulated water.

The output power of the prototype of this size would be about 1.8 kilowatts of energy per day for every 10 liters of water collected per square meter square grid. If the calculations are correct, the "curtain" area of 1000 square meters is capable of producing 185 kW per day.





Currently, the developers have launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds in the amount of 14000 dollars for the completion of a working prototype. As they say, thanks to the mobility and deployment capabilities anywhere, the new technology offers additional benefits in the form of access to clean drinking water and electricity, as well as providing emergency communications in areas of natural disasters and emergencies.

The video below demonstrates the principles of operation of the new technology.



Source: www.ekopower.ru/