Bill Gates-backed AirLoom Begins Building its First Power Plant
Key Points
- AirLoom Energy has begun building its first power plant
- The company’s design uses shorter blades attached to a cable running along an oval track
- The system is about 60 feet tall, far shorter than a typical wind turbine
- The pilot site is located in Wyoming and will generate around 150 kilowatts of electricity
- AirLoom is targeting the military and data center developers as potential customers
- The company plans to deploy its first commercial-scale system in 2027 or 2028
AirLoom’s Innovative Design
Wind power has faced challenges in recent years, including rising costs and opposition from President Trump. However, AirLoom Energy, a startup backed by Bill Gates, is taking a different approach. The company’s design deconstructs the classic turbine concept, using an arbitrary number of shorter blades attached to a cable that runs along an oval track.
The total height of the system is about 60 feet, far shorter than a typical wind turbine. AirLoom has broken ground on its pilot site in Wyoming, which will generate around 150 kilowatts of electricity. The pilot system will test the company’s design and prove its efficiency.
Future Plans
AirLoom is looking to deploy its first commercial-scale system in 2027 or 2028. The company is targeting the military and data center developers as potential customers. Many data center developers have been struggling to secure wind turbines before 2030, but AirLoom’s design could provide an earlier solution.
The space between the tracks can be used for solar panels or traditional farming, making the system more versatile. AirLoom’s CEO, Neal Rickner, believes that the company’s design can be cost-competitive and efficient, even at low volumes.