Profile of project "Skywalker"
GENERAL INFORMATION
Project Name:
Project "Skywalker".
Please specify the goal of your project:
Development and commercialization of the product and/or technology.
Main business area of the project:
Energy efficiency and energy-saving technologies, including the development of innovative energy technologies.
Brief description of the project (5 sentences), indicating existing developments and basic goals of project growth:
Proposed in the project construct is universal, can be used as stationary energy system, aerostat-energy system, and with the addition of the motor and control systems, it will be very economical, reliable and versatile aircraft. The hybrid airship "Skywalker" - a innovative aircraft, which use for the motion a alternative energy sources. The combination of an aircraft, a unique solar concentrator and wind turbines in one design.
PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
Describe the problem that the project is intended to solve:
Low economic efficiency of alternative energy sources. Technical and ecological unsafe, low universality and economic efficiency of air transport. Forest fires, and also some other problems of a national economy.
Please provide links to research and materials that support the importance and currency of the indicated problem:
Alternative energy, Aviation accidents and incidents, Wildfire.
How does the project solve the described problem and why could the approach be considered innovative:
The stationary energy system "Skywalker" is a new generation of structures in the construction of alternative energy sources. In this energy system, the combined solar concentrators and a wind turbine in one design. And these elements are in interaction, complement each other, using thermal solar energy and wind energy for electricity production. The concepts of calm for this energy system does not exist, because almost always, when overcast, there is wind. And in windless weather, there is sun and heat energy, which will be assigned to the work of the same generator. According to preliminary calculations, "Skywalker" will be able to work normally in the range of wind speeds, which is much wider than at common today of types of wind turbines. Particularly important for the payback and economic efficiency of the installation is that this energy system can operate even at very low wind. The design has an aesthetic appearance, wind turbines do not harm the birds and do not produce low frequency sounds. The stationary energy system "Skywalker" can be used for additional energy supply and basic, as advertising-energy system construction in place of billboards, for irrigation in agriculture, as well for many other of applications.
Aerostat-energy system "Skywalker" is a more efficient construct than the stationary, because at a height of only a few hundred meters the wind speed higher and more stable than near the surface ground, better to insolation. In this design helio-wind power station there is no flaws inherent for terrestrial facility. The most important thing is that it is more mobile, here does not apply carrying the mast, which take a significant part of the cost of construct.
"Skywalker" how a hybrid airship and at the same time energy system - the aircraft a new generation which does not require of fuel, has several advantages compared with all common today aircraft. For the safety of flight, in the construct stipulate three systems of protection against accident situations. The universality is that, for the such an aircraft is not required the construction of runways or other auxiliary means for takeoff and landing. Due to the unique control system, this aircraft will have excellent maneuverability. Cost-effectiveness and environmental safety is achieved when using the motor system, for which fuel is be the thermal energy of the sun, and the accumulated electricity from the wind turbine. The aircraft "Skywalker" can be used as a passenger and freight transport, it can be used to carry out prolonged unmanned forest monitoring and prevention of forest fires, as well in many other industries.
Innovative approach in the originality of the design in general and in particular the use of unique elements, the solar concentrator and wind turbines, in one design. This a excellent alternative to the traditional on today wind turbines, solar batteries and aircrafts.
Please describe the basic technologies and market trends in the considered market segment:
Fossil energy resources are being depleted and becoming more expensive.
Please provide references to relevant market researche and materials:
If available, please provide links to Russian and/or foreign patents which directly concern the project, whose owners are third parties, and also links to developed algorithms, protcols, computer programs and/or databases, to which third parties have exclusive rights. Here and further, "Intellectual property which directly concerns the project" should be taken as intellectual property which provides analogous or similar technical results:
Not known.
Please provide the basic motivation for the project:
The introduction of the production and distribution more efficient alternative energy sources will reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.
TECHNOLOGY AND/OR DIRECTION OF APPLIED RESEARCH
Please provide a description of the basic technology and/or the direction of applied research:
The design of "Skywalker" is a sphere, the carcass which built in the form of geodesic sphere (the structure out of the triangular components, covering the surface of the sphere) on the principle which invented by the engineer Buckminster Fuller. Hard, strong and at the same time an easy carcass, keep own weight without any additional strengthening, and in addition may carry additional a significant load. The shape of the spherical design has such a durability, because the tension is evenly distributed to all points of construct. In conjunction with the use of materials such as carbon composites, it will allow the design to be very light in ratio a volume to the weight and strong, carry heavy loading at wind gust, and also have good endurance.
On the upside of the construct are located helio-concentrators are intended to heat the air using concentrated solar energy. Inside, the construct is horizontally divided into two parts by means of thermoinsulating septum. The part of a construct, which is above a thermoinsulating septum, is under gelio-concentrators, is intended for filling by hot air. In part of the construct, which is below the thermal insulating a septum, located wind turbine to generate electricity by means of a wind power. These elements of a construct supplement each other, are in interaction, by a principle which is used in the thermal Stirling engine, where the difference in temperature between the volumes is used to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy. Thanks to this, the energy system can effectively work even in regions where often happens windless sunny weather. Thus it is possible to build a stationary energy system which will be much more effective than present alternative power sources.
Sheeting the construct above the helio-concentrators will be transparent for access of sunlight inside the helio-concentrators. Sheating the carcass between the helio-concentrators and thermoinsulating septum will be also thermoinsulating, for better heat conservation inside volume for the hot air. Sheating the rest of part construct may complement duct system of wind turbine, but in principle may in general be absent.
Gelio-concentrators - movable, optimally oriented on sun the devices, intended for heating the air, in the volume for the hot air, by means of concentrated solar energy. They are fixed to the carcass not rigidly, and hung on system, which regulates slope a gelio-concentrator according with the position of the sun, for a best concentration of solar energy.
Wind turbines - the equipment for transformation of kinetic wind power into mechanical or electric energy, is located inside a construct under thermoinsulating septum. Wind turbines can be equipped with air ducts with confusers, for strengthening of pressure an air flow on the wind turbine vanes. Air ducts are set with the conclusions on the entire circumference a construct, this will allow to use air flow from any direction. They of directed a widest part in side an air flow, and by a narrow part on the wind turbine vanes. Air ducts also are equipped with the flap for termination incoming an of air flow on the wind turbine vanes, on case of squally increase of wind.
If to make this construct of the easy materials, such as carbon composites, it is will work as aerostat-energy system, which at the expense of bigger speed and stability of a wind at height, will allow to receive on an order of magnitude more electricity. Hot air from gelio-concentrators will provide the main of lifting force for aerostat during take-off, to come off the earth and to reach a certain height. Further there is only a maintaining of necessary temperature, and at the height basically works principle of the a kite or the Magnus effect. Thanks to such device of a construct as a whole and the location a wind turbines in particular, in that part of a construct where is located the wind turbine, there is Magnus's effect (occurrence of transverse force at a flow air of the rotating cylinder), a which has favorable impact on a wind turbine, additionally increasing the rate of rotation of a rotor, and also increases stability of the entire device, serves as an additional lifting force. So, at growth of speed of a wind, "Skywalker" will aspire to climb above, instead of cuddle up to the ground, thanks to this, aerostat does not require of any special controls.
On the basis of this construct is possible the build flying machines by type of hybrid airship. The technology of such aircraft, in principle, described above, will require to carry out only some updatings of a aerostat-energy system, add the engine and control system. But this option is at present less actual, for a start it would be desirable to develop and implement stationary and a aerostat-energy system of such project.
Please list scholarly publications of team members in the project area:
Name of the publication: The new design a hybrid wind-solar energy system.
Authors: Sergey Harchenko
Year: 2011
Where published: Scientific Social Network «Science-Community.org»
Web link (if available): http://www.science-community.org/ru/node/3652
COMMERCIALIZATION PLAN (INCLUDING FOR APPLIED RESEARCH)
Please describe expected basic directions for commercialization of your project (short- or long-term):
Name: Alternative energetics. Air transport.
Comments: Greater efficiency in these industries contributes to a better commercialization.
Please provide any existing examples of successful companies, transactions for the sale of similar companies, examples of attracted investment from venture funds and strategic investors in similar projects or companies, or if you are commercializing applied research, provide examples of the use of analogous scientific development in production:
Not known.
COMPETING SOLUTIONS
Please list the closest analogues of your solution and describe your competitive advantages:
Name: Not known.
Description: Not known.
Market characteristics (volume, dynamics, links to market research): Not known.
Please describe the market characteristics for the analogous solutions that you listed:
Not known.
Please list scientific groups, research institutes, companies performing analogous or similar development and describe your competitive advantage, or if you are commercializing applied research, provide examples of similar applied research in leading universities of the world, and if they exist, preliminary agreements with them about joint research work:
Not known.
MARKET PARAMETERS
Please list markets where your project may potentially be implemented (list countries and/or regions, indicate customer segments, estimate the approximate market volume, its dynamics, and your future positioning in it):
Practically all countries of the world, market size is very big. The dynamics of market is difficult to predict, but positioning should be good.
Please provide links to relevant market research (in Russian and/or English):
The World Connector Market for Renewable Energy - Wind and Solar.
RESOURCES
Project history:
The idea of a construct which is offered in the project, in an original form appeared in the spring of 2010. At appearance idea has the own prehistory, if to anyone is interested, more details can be given later. By August of 2010, the idea of construct has already been well thought out and of with additions acquired more completed form. At the same time was made the decision not to wait the best times, when it would be possible to take the credit for implementation of the project, and start a search of investments. Thus has appeared a project "Skywalker". The name of the project occurs by analogy to russian names of machines, which are actuated by means of steam and heat - "parohod", "teplohod". So the construct which works by means of forces of the sky - the sun and winds, it was decided to call "Nebohod", that into english it is possible to translate as "Skywalker".
Dynamics of the project development:
From the moment of emergence of idea of the project is conducted theoretical development and improvement of technology. In February 2011 was launched a website of the project for his of advancement in russian-language segment of network the Internet and of representation to investors. Information about the project is placed on the thematic resources. Soon planned to translate website materials into English and begin advancement of the project in an english-language segment of network the Internet.
Have you and/or your team members ever received grants for this or a similar work area? (Please list dates, sums, project characteristics, achieved results):
No.
Laboratory (please describe the laboratory, its infrastructure on which the project realization is being or will be conducted):
A for development of project is required laboratory equipped with modern computers, on which by means of the special software will be possible to do models of constructs of with imitation of real physical condition. Also required of a spacious premises fitted with necessary tools, the equipment and materials is for creation of prototypes of constructs.
Have you attracted venture and/or other financing? (investors, amounts, results):
No.
GOALS AND TASKS
Specify the current project status (results achieved and how they have been confirmed):
Currently the accumulated good theoretical base of project. Created a website of the project and is begun its filling by information - www.nebohod.com
Please describe the key goals of the project (no more than three) and the expected period of realization:
1. Practical completion of elaboration and creation of prototype of energy system "Skywalker", within six months.
2. Creation of design office, within the following nine months.
3. Creation of scientific-production enterprise, within the following nine months.
Plan for project implementation:
1. Year / Quarter: 2012/3.
Project phase: Research and Development.
Comments: Practical completion of elaboration and creation of prototype of energy system "Skywalker".
2. Year / Quarter: 2013/1.
Project phase: Product Creation and Production.
Comments: Creation of design office, which will be engaged improvement under a specific tasks and implementation into production of energy systems of project "Skywalker".
3. Year / Quarter: 2013/3.
Project phase: General organizational development and hiring plan.
Comments: Is included into previous point.
4. Year / Quarter: 2013/4.
Project phase: Protection of intellectual property and licensing.
Comments: Refers to previous point.
5. Year / Quarter: 2014/2.
Project phase: Marketing, implementation, market strategy.
Comments: Creation of scientific-production enterprise, which will be engaged with production, a implementation on market, promoting, sales and introduction in exploitation of energy systems "Skywalker".
6. Year / Quarter: 2014/4.
Project phase: Sales and Attraction of Investment.
Comments: Is included into previous point.
General plan of project development (until the achievement of commerical results):
On the basis of design office and scientific-production enterprise will be conducted the development and implementation of other innovative ideas, including of associated with project "Skywalker".
