Topic Philip Rocker Video channel     ... his and some videos selected by him

Many posts in forum will eventually find way here. Can't wait?  Subcribe free to get access to over 28,000 messages on AWE.   Send AWE notes to editor@upperwindpower.com

Oct. 26, 2019           Joe Faust Philip Rocker Hi Joe - thanks for your message - and interest! I'm not sure that I have that much original to share ... I've been thinking about airborne turbines for a good few years - back in the day when peak oil and the long-term need to replace finite fossil fuel resources  were the issues, rather than the more pressing climate change concerns. I'm not an engineer! - I've not got anything more than math and physics A levels - I was teaching in FE and doing some tutoring before decamping from London to Northumbria 3 years ago where I have a bit more space to potter about. I don't tend to spend a great deal of time on the internet, and I hadn't realised until a few years ago that there was much interest in AWE. My original thoughts were along the lines of hoisting horizontal axis turbines into the upper atmosphere by balloon/kite - there's a video on my You Tube channel from a while back. (Sort of a static version of the Makani concept). I've since rather gone off the idea of having to hoist such a weight of generator and having it flying overhead (even if this was out at sea or over desert/tundra) and this led to thinking about a more VAWT design. Since the biggest  problem with VAWTs is supporting the tower (with guy ropes), being able to provide the support from the top instead by means of kite/balloon seems to follow. Ideally one needs to eliminate compression and buckling from one's structure - ie. all but the smallest components should be in tension - and those elements which are naturally in compression should be inflated/pressurised - basically along tensegrity/tensairity lines. My futuristic vision is of large inflated turbines moored out at sea - (in the case of Europe one has a 2000 + km arc stretching from Shannon to Greenland with depths of under 500m where one could intercept a significant fraction of the North Atlantic airflow). However, lacking the facilities (or finance) to produce inflated models I do what I can with plastic bottles, estate agent signage and rubble sacks! That's probably enough for the moment...you can have a look at what I've got on You Tube and get back to me if you want to chat further. (I'll see about joining the group). All the best, Philip