Vaneless Ion Wind Generator

A vaneless ion wind generator, also called a power fence, is a device that generates electricity by using wind to move electrically charged particles, typically charged water droplets, across an electric field, raising their potential energy rather than turning a mechanical rotor. It has no moving parts, which distinguishes it from conventional wind turbines and could make it usable in urban settings where turbine noise, moving shadows and the danger turbines pose to birds are unwelcome. Ion wind generation traces back to Lord Kelvin Thunderstorm, an 1867 electrostatic generator, and the modern concept has since been developed through Alvin Marks 1977 patent and the EWICON, or Electrostatic Wind Energy Converter, design, with working prototypes and proofs of concept built in the Netherlands, including one at Delft University of Technology. The technology remains experimental and is not commercially available; current prototypes reach roughly 7 percent efficiency, far below the roughly 45 percent of conventional wind turbines, though researchers suggest future versions could reach 25 to 30 percent.