The development of an Electrostatic Wind
Energy Converter (EWICON)
D. Djairam, A.N. Hubacz, P.H.F. Morshuis, J.C.M. Marijnissen, J.J. Smit
Abstract- A method of directly converting wind energy into
electrical energy is proposed, called an Electrostatic Wind
Energy Converter (EWICON). The method is based on
transporting electrically charged particles against the direction
of an electric field by the wind and accumulating them at a
collector. The electrospray-method is used to create the charged
particles. Two implementations of the EWICON and their
properties are discussed, one with a separate collector and one
with the system itself as a collector. Based on practical
considerations, a choice has been made for the latter
implementation. This system has been tested and this resulted in
a conversion of 7% of the wind energy into electrical energy,
whereas conventional wind turbine systems have an efficiency of
45% at their rated speeds. Improvements are suggested that
could lead to an efficiency of the EWICON in the range of 25
30%.
Index Terms- energy conversion, wind energy
INTRODUCTION
I.
W5 ,Find energy is a growing source of seemingly endlessly-
replenishable energy which could ease the pressure on
fossil based energy sources. However, existing wind
turbines have some disadvantages like high maintenance
costs, noise, harmfulness to birds and "visual pollution".
These disadvantages limit the widespread use of wind energy,
not only from an economic perspective but from a public
acceptance point of view as well.
Constructing wind farms at sea could very well be an
efficient solution, because the wind farms would be out of
view. Considering the intensive maintenance currently
involved with wind turbines, the operating costs of a wind
farm at sea would severely limit the economic feasibility of
this option. The maintenance arises primarily from the
conversion of wind energy to electrical energy via mechanical
energy, i.e. the rotational movement that drives the wind
turbine. Therefore, a method is needed to directly convert the
wind energy to electrical energy in such a way, that very little
mechanical movement is required. This way, the operating
costs of a sea-based wind farm could be lowered significantly.
D. Djairam, P.H.F. Morshuis and J.J. Smit are with the High Voltage
Technology and Management group, Delft University of Technology
(D.Djairam: +31 (0)15 27 86204; fax: +31 (0)15 27 88382; e-mail:
- -
d.djairam o ewi.tudelft.nl).
A.N. Hubacz and J.C.M. Marijnissen are with the Nanostructure Materials
Group, Delft University of Technology. (e-mail: a.n.hubacz atnw.tudelft.nl).
In this paper, we will discuss a device called EWICON, in
which charged droplets are moved by the wind. As a result of
this charge movement, a current is generated which can be
converted to be connected to the power grid. This method, in
principle, does not have the need for moving mechanical
parts. 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. Another advantage is that this
method does not have a cut-out speed, the maximum speed at
which a wind turbine can be used.
A number of important aspects in this project will be
highlighted. First of all, the generation of charged water
droplets using a method called Electro Hydro-Dynamic
-
Atomisation (EHDA), also known as electrospray, will be
discussed. Using a high electric field, water droplets can be
generated, sprayed away and charged simultaneously [1].
Droplet size, charge and velocity distributions depend on
various parameters like voltages, flow rate of the water,
geometric properties of the set-up. Secondly, the wind is used
to blow these droplets away, a process which is not only
dependent on the previously stated parameters but also on the
properties of the wind and the grading of the electric field. A
few test set-ups that were used during the experiments will be
discussed as well as the results of these tests and
measurements.
The idea of directly converting wind energy into electrical
energy is not new. There are several patents that propose a
similar idea [2]; however, most of these patents do not have a
suitable solution for transporting the charges.
Previous research has already proven the feasibility of this
EWICON method [3]. The goal of the current project is to
design and build a prototype that can generate an output
power of 1 kW.
II. EWICON WORKING PRINCIPLES
As has been stated, the wind has to move charged particles
in order to create a current. Two configurations (Type A and
Type B) have been developed based on this principle and both
have been investigated and tested. Although the two versions
are equivalent from an electrical point of view, the practical
implications will show that there is a preference for type B.
A. Charged Particle Generation
There are several methods available for creating charged
particles. Most of these methods require a lot of energy and
this means that it is more difficult to achieve a net gain in
energy. In the EWICON, a stream of charged droplets is
created using a method called EHDA. EHDA is based on the
principle that a strong electric field will deform the liquid
leaving a nozzle to a conical shape, see Fig. 1. Usually, this
field will be created using charging electrodes that are put on
a certain voltage. At the cone apex a liquid jet with a high
charge density occurs. Depending on the direction of the
applied electric field i.e. the polarity of the voltage on the
charging electrodes, the net charge will either be positive or
negative. There is a maximum charge that can be present on a
droplet before Rayleigh break-up occurs, which is the
breaking up of droplets into smaller droplets because of the
electric stress associated with the charge. Using EHDA,
droplets can be charged up to 7000 of this Rayleigh limit.
Fig. 1. An example of EHDA. Ethanol is sprayed under the influence of an
electric field which results in a stream of charged droplets. The droplets
all have the same polarity, which causes the expanding mist of droplets.
The size, charge and initial velocity as well as the rate at
which the droplets are ejected, all depend on the voltages on
the electrodes, the geometrical configuration of these
electrodes together with the properties and the flow rate of the
water. Having said that, one can imagine the numerous ways
an EHDA configuration can be set up. One important aspect
for the EWICON is that such an EHDA set-up must be as
transparent for wind as possible. In this paper, we will discuss
a five-nozzle set-up, shown in Fig. 2. Five needles are fed
water by a pump, while some extra needles at each side are
placed to ensure electric field uniformiity at the five spraying
needle tips.
wind
Fig. 2. Schematic overview of the multi-nozzle set-up. (a) side view, wind
coming from the left. (b) front view, wind coming out of the page. Water
is fed through the tubes to the needles (1) where EHDA is achieved
through the use of charging electrodes (2). The charged particles are then
blown away by the wind. A steering electrode (3) facilitates this process.
The main advantage of EHDA is that this process needs very
little energy compared to other methods. However, a
disadvantage is that water is an extremely difficult liquid to
electrospray in a controlled manner due to its high surface
tension [4]. Unlike water, ethanol is perfectly sprayable using
EHDA, in the sense that size, velocity and charge distributions
are mono-disperse. Therefore, for research purposes, a
mixture of water and ethanol has been used.
B. Type A: Collector set-up
In this configuration, shown in Fig. 3, the charging system
(electrodes + nozzles) responsible for the charged particles is
connected to earth. After the charging system has produced
the charged particles, the wind blows these charged particles
away towards an initially neutral collector that is electrically
isolated from earth. Consequently, the electric potential of this
collector will rise and have the same polarity as the polarity of
the charged droplets. Therefore, the collector will start to repel
the droplets and depending on the power of the wind, which is
related to the wind speed, the voltage of the collector will
reach a maximum. An electrical load can be attached to this
collector.
charged
droplets
wind collector
Fig. 3. Type A. The EWICON set-up with a separate collector to catch the
charged droplets. The collector needs to be isolated from earth, thereby
allowing the potential of the collector to rise.
C. Type B: Set-up without collector
In this configuration, shown in Fig. 4, the charging system is
electrically isolated from earth. In this case, after the charging
system has produced the charged particles, the wind blows the
particles away from the charging system. Due to this charge
movement away from the set-up, the electric potential of the
charging system rises, but with a polarity opposite to the
polarity of the charged particles. Therefore, there will be an
attractive force between the charging system and the charged
particles, which would decrease the stream of charged
droplets being removed from the set-up, thus decreasing the
net current. Again, the maximum voltage of the set-up that can
be reached is dependent on the wind power. Similarly, an
electrical load can be attached to the set-up.
 The design and placement of the steering electrode is aided by
charged the use of a software package, called Lorentz. This package is
droplets capable of calculating electric fields and trajectories of
charged particles in an electric and mechanical (wind) force
wind field. A pump supplies the nozzles with a mixture of water
nozzle and ethanol at a certain flow rate.

pump

HV isolator load
Fig. 4. Type B. The EWICON set-up without a separate collector. The
charging system is isolated from earth. The droplets need to be removed
from the charging system. The earth acts as a collector, while the
potential of the charging system rises.
D. Choice of set-up
It is useful to note again the significance of the wind in these
set-ups. Without the work of the wind, the charged particles
would either be repelled by the collector (Type A) or be
attracted by the charging system (Type B). In both cases, this
would mean the current created by the spraying process would
be nullified. This means the system cannot feed a load.
Type A's main advantage is that it is conceptually simple.
However, it requires a separate isolated collector, which
means extra building material and effort. Also, due to the
inherent chaotic character of the wind, a relatively large
collector needs to be built to ensure that most of the charged
droplets are caught and even then, there is no guarantee that
all of the particles will be collected.
Type B's main disadvantage is that the charging system
needs to be isolated from earth. This means the charging
system is more complicated than the one used in a Type A set-
up. However, there is no need for a separate collector which
simplifies the construction of the set-up. The fact that the
charged particles are not collected does mean, however, that
the particles are dispersed into the surroundings. Therefore,
from an environmental point of view, the particles cannot be
harmful or toxic.
HVXO CE
A N
HV
metal plate
Fig. 5. The EWICON set-up in detail. Two HVDC sources are connected
to the charging and steering electrodes (CE and SE). A pump supplies the
liquid to the nozzles. The nozzles are electrically connected to a metal
plate.
When the EWICON is operating, the wind takes away the
charged particles. This stream of charged particles can be
represented as a current. Since the liquid is initially
electrically neutral, an opposite current IN will occur. If the
metal plate is disconnected from earth, this current will charge
the metal plate, resulting in an open output voltage Vopen. In
the event that any of the charged particles will collide with
one of the electrodes or the metal plate, a current will flow
back and the charging effect will be partly neutralized
resulting in a lower output voltage. It is possible however to
tune the system such that the current losses due to particle
collisions is practically zero. Lastly, a 20 GQ load was
attached to the metal plate and the current, IO, through this
load was measured.
III. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
Current at different flow rates 30% ethanol mixture
2,00
1 ,80
1 ,60

Since the intended spraying medium for the EWICON is 1 ,40

water, this condition has been met. Also, during the feasibility z 1,20 + flowrate 0. 1 ml/hr
: 1 00 flowrate 0.5 ml/hr
testing period, it was found that using a Type B set-up resulted as
- 0,80 flowrate 10.Oml/hr
in very stable voltages compared to voltages achieved with a 0,60
Type A set-up. Therefore, the Type B set-up is more favorable 0,40
as a starting-point for further EWICON research. 0,20
0,00
E. Type B set-up using EHDA in detail 0,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00
The actual implementation of the current EWICON is shown Vr, (kV)
schematically in Fig. 5, in which one HVDC source is used to Fig. 6. Results of current measurements obtained by electrospraying a
apply a voltage on the charging electrodes, VCE, which mixture with 30% ethanol and 70% distilled water.
controls the EHDA spraying process. The other HVDC source
is used to apply a voltage on the steering electrode, VSE, which Experiments have been conducted using different liquids
is used to grade the electric field in such a way, that the wind and various geometrical configurations of the charging and
can remove the charged particles more easily from the system. steering electrodes at a range of voltages. A turbine capable of
providing laminar air flow to a surface area of 0.1 m2 was
used to simulate wind at 9 m/s. For each liquid flow rate, the
VCE was gradually increased causing the current IN to increase
as well. At a certain voltage, leakage currents start to occur,
which to an extent can be minimized by varying the voltage of
the steering electrode. Results for a measurement using a
mixture of 30% ethanol and 700o distilled water can be seen in
Fig. 6.
These results can be used to determine the efficiency of the
set-up in converting the wind power into electrical power.
The expression for the power associated with the wind, Pw,
for an effective wind surface area, A, is
PW = I2*APa -v3(1)
in which Pa is the density of air (1.293 kg/m3 at 20 C) and v
is the wind speed. The output power in our 20 GQ load is
PO = I .RL (2)
in which Io is equal to IN if there are no leakage currents.
Using equation (1) and (2) and assuming that no current leaks
are measured, the efficiency 7 was calculated
11= PO
(3)
PwI + PI
in which PI is the power needed to supply the liquid to the
nozzles. If we take a measurement with a flow rate of 5 ml/hr
as an example, IN= 1.9 [tA. The set-up has an effective wind
surface area, A, of 0.002 M2. This yields for the output power,
Po = 65 mW. The power needed by the pump to supply the
liquid to the nozzles, PI 1 mW. This leads to an efficiency,
7, of 700. Suggestions will be given to increase this number to
comparable efficiency of conventional turbines.
IV. CONCLUSIONS
The experiments show that the EWICON system in the
current configuration is capable of generating electrical
energy from wind energy with an efficiency of at least 700.
The efficiency of conventional wind turbines, like e.g. a
Siemens 1.3 MW wind turbine, is roughly 4500 which still is
six to seven times higher compared to the efficiency of the
current EWICON. The flow rate per nozzle needs to be above
5.0 ml/hr, preferably 10 ml/hr, before EHDA can be used as
an effective method for producing charged particles, which
puts a lower limit on the water consumption. Also, concerning
EHDA, it was found that the concentration of ethanol in water
should at least be 25% or higher for controlled spraying to
occur.
V. PLANS FOR FUTURE WORK
The goal of this research project is to build a prototype that
can deliver an output power of 100-1000 W. The approach to
achieve this goal is two-fold. First of all, the set-up needs to
be upgraded, meaning the efficiency should be increased. To
this end, a number of things will be done:
* The EHDA process will be optimized. Currently,
water/ethanol mixtures are used to investigate the
behavior of the EWICON system. The final design
will, preferably, be using water only. The
properties of the droplets that are sprayed will be
investigated and the results will be used to increase
the performance of the charging system. Currently,
the net charge on the droplet is about 25-30%
compared to the charge that can be present on a
droplet before Rayleigh break-up occurs [5]. Using
EHDA, it is possible to attain percentages of 7000.
* The possibility of packing the spraying nozzles
more closely will be investigated. It will be
investigated whether and how an increase in
nozzles changes the immediate surrounding
electric field and whether this adversely affects the
spraying. The first step, to this end, will be the
doubling of the concentration of nozzles.
* The construction of the set-up will be examined
more closely in order to minimize the chances of
leakage currents.
Optimizing the EHDA spraying process together with the
doubling of the concentration could possibly lead to an
efficiency improvement by a factor of four, thereby
approaching the average efficiency of conventional wind
turbines. It has to be noted, that in the area of wind energy the
efficiency alone is not the key factor in determining the
usefulness of a wind energy device. Other factors, like the
economic investments and the total energy yield in kWh, play
a central role in assessing the viability of such a device.
Secondly, to deliver an output power of 1000 W, the wind
surface area needs to be 12 mi2, if we further assume an
efficiency of 30% and a wind speed of 9 m/s. Therefore, the
set-up needs to be scaled up. The first step is to build a
prototype with a wind surface area of 1 M2.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This project is supported with a grant of the Dutch
Programme EET (Economy, Ecology and Technology).
REFERENCES
[1] Grace, J.M., Marijnissen, J.C.M., "A review ofliquid atomization by
electrical means", J. Aerosol Sciences 30 (7), 1005-1019.
[2] A.M. Marks, US Patent No. 4.206.396 and 4.433.248
[3] R. Bodega, P.J Sonneveld, P.H.F. Morshuis, R. van Rooij, L.G.M van
Eldijk, "Conversion of wind into electrical energy without the needfor
movingparts", XIIIth International Symposium on High Voltage
Engineering, Delft, 2003.
[4] J-P. Borra, R. Hartman, J. Marijnissen, B. Scarlett, "Destabilisation of
sprays in the cone-jet mode by electrical discharges on the jet", J.
Aerosol Sciences, (Suppl. 1), S203-S204.
[5] EWICON progress reports, internal, 2004-2005.