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SpaceNut, we did not have a topic with a title containing all three words "wind" "energy" and "capture"
We have many topics that are about various kinds of wind devices.
This topic is available for NewMars members who might wish to create posts that point to particular wind energy capture ideas they found in the archive, or which they are adding to the collection in another topic.
The kinds of wind energy capture devices that may come up for discussion include sails through propellers to advanced technology that has not yet been invented.
This topic is available for all of them.
If a NewMars member creates a post in this topic, please include a link to the post of interest and a brief text description of what the post is about.
This topic can also be used to hold a post about a wind energy capture device that is not already present elsewhere in the forum.
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Recently, kbd512 launched an inquiry about the possibility of using a wind energy capture device to deliver power to a location some distance away through mechanical transmission using a working fluid such as water.
Calliban then provided support for this idea, and suggested various fluids that might be alternatives to water.
Kbd512 then clarified that he meant a "vertical" wind energy capture device. Vertical wind energy capture devices have been built, but the vast majority of wind energy capture devices feature propeller blades rotating around a horizontal shaft that faces into the wind. The vast majority of these existing devices include an electric generator in a nacelle at the top of a tower, so that power is transmitted by the "fluid" of electrons moving through wires to remote locations.
In thinking about the failure of a large vertical wind turbine in Canada, due to failure of a single bearing that was carrying the entire weight of the system, it occurred to me that magnetic bearings (such as those patented by John Barber a number of years ago) would be able to support a wind energy capture device if enough of them were assembled for the purpose.
And ** that ** thought combined with an old idea ... use of sailboat sails to capture wind energy for production of power, instead of for propulsion of a vessel.
Mr. Barber's magnetic bearings would seem well suited for a wind energy capture system based upon vertical sails rotating around a central pivot.
In another topic, there is a report of a wind energy capture system (Airloom) that employs vertical sails made of metal. In that system, the metal sails run on a track that is held above the ground on towers. I'm unsure of the details of the design, but I ** think ** each sail is attached to a mechanical cable that delivers power to a single generator on the ring that creates a flow of electrons that is fed to a central location, or perhaps to the local electric grid.
A system based upon "sailboats" that are pivoting around a central pivot point would draw power at the central pivot point.
SearchTerm:sailboat wind energy collection system using magnetic bearings
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Just for a basis of comparison, the old-time farm windmill had a many-bladed disk turning a gearbox that doubled as a swivel mount. That gear box had a crank for its output, connected to a vertical rod inside the windmill tower that moved up and down through a modest stroke. The usual function was to pump water from a well to keep a water tank full. So the rod moving up and down operated the well pump.
The wind mill blades were flat sheet metal, rarely if ever cambered, and with as-cut edges. These are rather inefficient airfoils that easily stall. The typical Chicago Aermotor will make usual pumping power in winds as low as 2 or 3 mph, and will survive all but a direct hit by a tornado. When the wind speed is too high, the blades stall, limiting how fast the blades can turn against the resistance felt by the rod.
The operating range of wind speeds where the thing is efficient is rather narrow, limited by zero to a low stall angle of attack. Increase the stall angle of attack, and that efficient range of speeds broadens, at the risk of generating too much power in higher winds. You increase that stall angle by cambering the metal blades, and especially by folding the metal over at the leading edge to create a rounded edge.
Replace the reciprocating vertical sucker rod with a vertical turning shaft (by changing the gear box), and the thing could drive a stationary electric generator at the base of the windmill tower. Use DC, with min voltage output at min wind speed ~ 2-3 mph, switch the connections to the battery bank it charges, as wind speed increases. It still limits by stalling, just at a higher speed. It also still retains the ability to survive all but a direct hit by a tornado.
What more could you want out of a home wind generator?
GW
Last edited by GW Johnson (2024-01-29 09:21:45)
GW Johnson
McGregor, Texas
"There is nothing as expensive as a dead crew, especially one dead from a bad management decision"
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Self-lubricating bearings are a type of engine bearing that uses a dry lubricant to reduce friction between moving parts. Then we have https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_bearing or Ferrofluid Bearings.
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Our correspondent in Alaska responded to my inquiry about capture of wind energy with a word picture of an Idea he's considered....
This would be on the ** very ** intermittent side, but it is definitely a way to collect wind energy ....
According to our correspondent, trees in Alaska have been observed to sway 40 feet from side to side during a strong storm.
A generator attached (somehow) to the tops of such trees would really zip along.
I am reminded of images I have seen of engineering drawings of "waving Post" wind capture devices. These capture the energy at the base, which moves little but with great power, as the top waves great distances with wind pressure.
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Our correspondent in Alaska responded to my inquiry about capture of wind energy with a word picture of an Idea he's considered....
This would be on the ** very ** intermittent side, but it is definitely a way to collect wind energy ....
According to our correspondent, trees in Alaska have been observed to sway 40 feet from side to side during a strong storm.
A generator attached (somehow) to the tops of such trees would really zip along.
I am reminded of images I have seen of engineering drawings of "waving Post" wind capture devices. These capture the energy at the base, which moves little but with great power, as the top waves great distances with wind pressure.
(th)
TH, that is a neat idea. At its simplest, we could tie a rope to the trunk of the tree and attach it to a pulley. We can then convert the swaying motion induced by gusts into linear motion. Linear motion can be used to generate power using positive displacement pumps that generate compressed air or pump a hydraulic fluid of some kind.
This is a low impact method of wind power generation that would be easier to impliment in places that have strict planning controls. It is also cheap because we can take advantage of something that nature provides for free. The only downside I can see is that the power available may be modest. We are drawing power from gusts, meaning that a large part of wind energy will be wasted. But that is less of a concern for offgrid applications in areas where people have a lot of space around them and plenty of trees. In a sparsely populated area, absolute efficiency isn't something we have to push so long as people have enough power at an affordable cost.
Last edited by Calliban (2024-02-14 07:39:45)
"Plan and prepare for every possibility, and you will never act. It is nobler to have courage as we stumble into half the things we fear than to analyse every possible obstacle and begin nothing. Great things are achieved by embracing great dangers."
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For Calliban re #6
Thank you for your encouraging reply! I'll pass it along!
If you have time to draw a sketch of how you would implement the idea, I'd be willing to see what DALL-E or BARD/Image make of it.
I think both AI's would have fun with the forest scenery. They both appear to enjoy being given creative freedom, and both appear to chafe at being asked to focus on specific concepts.
As I think about your idea, in the context of a forest in Alaska, it occurs to me that a ratcheting system might be used to lift a weight up a tall tree in bursts. At the top of the run, the weight would hold until the storm passes, at which point it can be released to turn a pulley with a constant rate. Depending upon the size of the tree and the amount of mass lifted, this might yield some useful current during the descent.
It seems to me that the NewMars forum is one of the few places on Earth (or the Solar System for that matter) where such ideas could occur.
We are venturing into Void-space here!
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Airloom is a company that is working on a wind energy capture concept that differs from traditional horizontal or vertical rotation devices.
Their system uses moving airfoils on a track.
Apparently they are still in early stages of testing their concept, and hope to be able to build a test rig early in 2025.
You can see some animation of their idea here: https://www.airloom.energy/
Here is a report from the CEO:
Update from Airloom Energy - November 2024
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Neal Rickner <info@airloom.energy> Unsubscribe
Nov 26, 2024, 3:42PM (16 hours ago)
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Friends of Airloom!
As we navigate the journey of creating the next era of wind power, we’re excited to share our latest updates with you. These past months have been a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and resilience as we work toward our shared vision of a cleaner, more sustainable future.
This update is where you’ll find highlights of our progress, insights from our team, and a glimpse into what’s on the horizon. Thank you for being part of our journey—we couldn’t do this without your support and belief in what we’re building:
1) We’re thinking through the impact of the election.
We’re optimistic that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)—a cornerstone of the renewable energy industry—will remain largely intact. This is because the economic benefits of the IRA are felt across the United States, but they are particularly impactful in red states, where many renewable energy projects are being developed. This bipartisan economic success makes it less likely that lawmakers will support efforts to dismantle the IRA.
That said, as Congress considers how to address upcoming fiscal challenges—such as expiring tax cuts—there will undoubtedly be discussions about funding reallocations. While cost-cutting measures may be proposed, we believe the economic and job-related benefits of the IRA will make it a strong candidate for continued bipartisan support.
To ensure that Airloom’s voice is heard, we’re proactively engaging with policymakers. We plan to write to our three congressional representatives from Wyoming—two senators and one representative—to share how critical the IRA is to our company, the jobs we’re creating, and the economic impact we’re driving.
2) Completion of Loomcamp Phase II
We hosted ~40 team members, advisors, and industry veterans for an immersive 3 days in Murietta, CA. We took advantage of the three beautiful AirBnBs to cover hundreds of technical slides and have robust discussions about design tradeoffs & Airloom's path forward.
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3) And....We reached another AFWERX Milestone - part of our $1.25M contract with the US Air Force.
We made solid connections at the Wyoming Governors business forum and Verge.
Our development team presented at the Laramie county planning and zoning commission. (Carbon county and Albany County are scheduled for early December).mark-1
Technical Progress
LoomCamp Phase II
The technical team presented System level progress with a deep dive session on each subsystem: System Engineering, Aerodynamics, Loads Analysis, Mechanical Systems, Electrical Systems, Controls, Safety Critical Systems, Simulation, Test Articles, Project Site Selection, and Program Management.
The result was
Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) estimate
Bill of Materials (BOM) estimate
Cost, Schedule, and Risk
Action items and next steps
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Loomcamp Phase II (part 2)
We also spent a solid day in Mountain View at Google X collaborating with our advisors, Siggy, Leo and Kurt. This was a deep dive on systems, aero, and our testing plan.
Product:
Following Phase 2 LoomCamp the team has turned their attention to a baseline design where trade studies are complete and detailed design can commence
Areas of focus over the next 8 weeks:
Aerodynamics (Lift and Drag including test plans)
Dedicated test articles (power take off (PTO) and dynamometer (motor) testing)
Simulation upgrades for controls
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Pilot site:
The team continues to focus on down-selecting the best site for the project requiring leased land sites in favorable Wyoming counties that have wind resources and where Airloom gets to pick the day to test, not waiting on the wind to test.
KB Energy has been selected to provide MET tower services to the three down-selected sites. Equipment has been selected and purchasing is underway in preparation for site installation.
Permit paperwork has been started for three counties to be flexible on final site selections. We have also met with all county permitting teams in an effort to align with the shortest schedule possible and with their expectations.
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TeamWe are leveraging a core group of talented and experienced contractors. We chose this path, rather than hiring a larger full-time engineering team, to move more quickly and conserve cash. Said more plainly, these are ultra-experienced folks that we can’t afford to put on full-time salary, but can afford to pay on short sprints. The down-side is that we build less value inside Airloom. We’ll keep track of this and expand the full-time team once we have additional resources and clearer product definition.
Given this set up, we’ve been thinking a lot about how we organize and communicate. Full-time Airloom folks are already in two locations (Wyoming & California). The contractors mentioned above, and the Advisory Board, are spread out between Denmark and Hawaii. For this reason, we’ve tried to be thoughtful about how we organize ourselves:
We’ve created a group called our “extended team” that includes the technical contractors, comms, and site development consultants. This group is on our Slack platform, receives “all-hands” emails, and is invited to all-hands meetings.
Our Advisory Board, now 15 people, is now also on Slack and is receiving regular updates. We’ve also begun hosting optional monthly meetings for them.
Open roles
We’ve (finally) narrowed in on several qualified site development manager candidates.
Fractional CFO: we also (finally) have several options lined up and will pick one before the end of November.
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Commercial Update
We completed a deep-dive on LCOE and how our future customers will make transaction decisions.
The USAF released a call for TACFI proposals earlier than anticipated unlocking the potential for an additional $2M contract. We will aggressively pursue this opportunity by aligning stakeholders and requirements for a competitive submission no later than March 31, 2025.
We were inspired by this podcast from MCJ (now called Inevitable), which highlights Radia and their effort to create a giant aircraft. ..and while we're taking a very different approach here at Airloom, we very much appreciate their perspective on the market opportunity.
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Challenges
Our schedule has the core of our testing occurring smack dab in the middle of winter (2025), which may not be that much fun in Wyoming. We don't have the budget to push testing out to Spring 2026. We could accept more risk, or do less, or both....or just accept the schedule as it is. The biggest risk to keeping the current schedule, aside from the desire to not be freezing while we're setting things up, is to avoid severe/abnormal winter weather that will delay testing. For now, we're accepting that we'll be cold and keeping the schedule as it is.
Loomcamp Phase II revealed that our current design point carries aero drag that needs to get solved before we embark on the CoDR.
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Upcoming Priorities
Finalize the pilot site locations and install MET towers.
Finalize the test plan for our highest risk items (belt, power take-off (PTO), dyno, and aero).
Concept design review (CoDR).Thank you for your ongoing support. Please don't hesitate to reach out with comments or questions. We'd be delighted to hear from you.
And Happy Thanksgiving!
The next era of wind power
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Airloom.Energy
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AirLoom Energy Inc., 5452 Aerospace Dr, Hwy 130, Laramie, Wyoming 82070
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I really like the kite concept, similar to what Makani Wind Power demonstrated. Google gave up on the tech, even though it was working, but I would like to know if it's possible to run a thin / strong / light cable attached to an actual kite or balloon, back to the ground, and then use the movement of that cable to operate an electric generator, sort of like the recoil starter on a lawn mower engine. The system could be light, low-cost, reasonably unobtrusive relative to conventional vertical and horizontal axis wind turbines, and the materials are easy to come by, requiring very little in the way of advanced manufacturing.
Seriously, though, we could have "surf boards" (parasail wings) attached to a pair of aramid or CNT fiber cables, with another surf board on the other end, and the back-and-forth movement at far greater altitudes than conventional wind turbines can realistically achieve, would prove more or less constant power output, albeit lower density. The fact of the matter is that said system does not require that you clear cut and level the entire site the way they do for conventional wind turbines and photovoltaics (to bring in heavy construction equipment), it doesn't have a huge amount of non-disposable material, the mass of everything is very low, and the heaviest parts of the system are left on the ground, or possibly under the ground, so they're not subject to the same kinds of weather-related damage that both Makani Wind Power's electric aircraft nor conventional wind turbines are subjected to.
I know for a fact that this concept I've described actually works, because it's used in recreational kite flying and some extreme sports. I'm not guessing here. All I want to know is how far this can be scaled-up, and what the power density could look like relative to conventional wind turbines.
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A reply came in from Airloom... I was not expecting to hear from them, but this reply just arrived..,. it confirms mechanical linkage between a belt and generators on the towers. There might be one generator on each tower, which would improve reliability if implemented.
Hi Tom -
Thanks for reaching out! We'll continue to keep the updates coming. The plan is to have electricity generated at fixed locations on the towers with a belt drive.
Have a great week!
Your friends at Airloom EnergyOn Wed, Nov 27, 2024 at 8:25AM <tahanson43206> wrote:
Hello!
Thanks for the letter/report from your CEO, and the good news of your
progress toward a demonstration system early next year!Best wishes to everyone associated with Airloom, for the Thanksgiving
Holiday, and for the year ahead.If anyone has the time, it appears Wikipedia does not yet have an entry
for Airloom.My question, which I would have found on Wikipedia, is: Where is
electricity generated in your system?It might be generated where the airfoils are, or it might be generated
at fixed locations along the track.The generator on the airfoil would add mass but eliminate mechanical belts.
The generator at fixed locations would require a belt to move past the
generator. That seems to be what the drawings show.I'll bet there are patents pending! I'll go look!
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Here is text from an email from Airloom... There are images of equipment that has arrived at the assembly facility for a 2025 test.
Friends of Airloom,
March has been a productive month for Airloom Energy as we continue to build momentum with customers, advance key partnerships, maximize the opportunistic TACFI matching funds, and maintain steady technical progress towards the pilot.
Here are the latest updates:
Customer Traction & Project Development
We’re making solid progress securing customers for our first sites. We’ve advanced discussions with a data center firm, which is positioned to be Airloom’s first customer at the pilot site. To facilitate this, we have formed a project LLC.
Having a committed customer will enable us to access Clean Energy Tax Credits (either Investment or Production Tax Credits), which can be monetized through a tax credit marketplace—potentially offsetting some of our capital costs.
Looking ahead, we’re also seeing strong traction for our planned 2027 commercial demonstration, with interest from both commercial and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) customers. These projects are shaping up to be behind-the-meter installations, which provide greater flexibility in financing, siting, and operations.
TACFI Fundraising Update
Our TACFI fundraising efforts are accelerating. This is an opportunistic raise designed to maximize the $2M matching opportunity from the U.S. DoD. We are actively engaging with potential investors to capitalize on this strategic funding.
Neal and Airloom Advisory Board Member Dave Belote visited Vandenberg Space Force Base, where they met with Space Force leadership. As a result of this effort Airloom has submitted two more AFWERX SBIR Phase IIs. Each of these would be $1.25M from the U.S. DoD.
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Photo of Vandenberg Space Force BaseIndustry & Government Engagement
We attended the Crosscut LP Summit, strengthening relationships with investors and industry partners.
Several Airloom team members completed the dCode accelerator, gaining valuable insights into selling to the U.S. government and expanding our access to federal funding opportunities.
We initiated discussions with an electronics company to explore their linear generator technology, assessing potential synergies for Airloom’s future power takeoff method.
Wind Rose 1741196124782
Airloom's Pilot Site wind rose, February 2025CERA week, Neal
Neal at CERAweekmark-1
Technical Progress
The technical team has been hard at work on our belt test assembly engineering as well as long lead item procurement for these tests. We are executing these tests at a facility normally earmarked for Star Wars R2D2 assemblies, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour robotics, and Disney Imagineering creative solutions and entertainment rides. Partnering with a team that focuses on fast delivery and flexibility is core to Airloom’s needs.
This past week we visited the site again and reviewed the long lead items we have procured.
Generators at Rando
100kW motors delivered to the integration facility.Generators 2
100kW motors laid out on the dynamometer steel plate.Belts at Rando
Belts for the load and speed testing arrived.Mod truss at Rando
ModTruss arrived for bolting and assembling the three test frames.The excitement is building as we finalize the test stand drawings, procure the final electrical equipment and start to assemble the power generation equipment.
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Commercial Update
Pilot Project
We’ve continued to make progress on the commercial structure of the 2025 pilot project. It looks even more likely that it will be a revenue-generating site. Discussions with a data center customer have advanced, and we have created a project LLC to facilitate the agreement. A paying customer will unlock eligibility for Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and federal clean energy tax credits, which can be sold in a transfer marketplace—helping offset Airloom’s capital costs.Commercial Demo
For the 2027 commercial demonstration, we continue to see strong interest from both commercial and U.S. Department of Defense customers, both shaping up as behind-the-meter projects. These provide greater flexibility in timelines, financing, and operations while aligning with the growing demand for dedicated energy solutions—especially from hyperscalers investing heavily in AI and data-center infrastructure.Other Key Commercial Updates
Working towards a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NREL.
Finalizing a techno-economic analysis and OpenFAST loads modeling with NREL.
Three team members completed the dCode accelerator, strengthening our government contracting strategy.
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Upcoming Priorities
As we continue making strides in customer engagement, project development, and strategic partnerships, we are grateful for your interest. We look forward to sharing more progress in the coming months and, as always, welcome your insights, introductions, and support.Looking fwd,
Neal
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Airloom sent it's monthly update: Monthly Update from Airloom Energy - April 2025
The email is long and full of details of progress and images.
The email was received by newmarsmember, and will be saved there.
If a member is interested in seeing the email I would be happy to forward a copy.
Among the many details is report of a decision to settle on just two curves for the corners, so parts count is reduced to the minimum. I did not see text explaining the decision, but I'm guessing the design team is anticipating the need for corners of different radii at different customer locations, and the two curves chosen may facilitate the best possible (most economical) solution for all use cases.
If anyone is interested in seeing a step-by-step evolution of a complex engineering project, these emails appear to provide it.
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Airloom sent it's monthly update
The email is long and full of details of progress and images.
The email was received by newmarsmember and is available there if anyone is interested.
Among the many details was mention of success in securing land for the test site. The local government granted permission for the project on land that is not too far from the company headquarters. There were details of funding setbacks and further initiatives. The current uncertainty in Washington is a concern. On the positive side, it appears the Air Force remains interested in this energy collection method, so support may be available at some point. Progress is continuing with development of hardware.
NewMars members can subscribe to the email at info.airloom.energy.
As reported in #13, if you are curious about what a startup looks like, this is the most thorough documentation I've seen.
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As an experiment, I decided to see what the text only copy of the newsletter might look like:
Monthly Update from Airloom Energy - May 2025
Airloom Energy <info@airloom.energy> Unsubscribe
May 19, 2025, 1:21PM (20 hours ago)
Friends of Airloom,
We’re closely tracking the latest developments from the House Ways and Means Committee in Washington D.C., but first—some big news closer to home:
✅ Test Site Secured
We’re thrilled to announce that the Albany County Commissioners have approved our permit—Airloom officially has a test site in Wyoming.
This location is windy, close to our headquarters, and minimally disruptive to its surroundings. It’s a major achievement: without a site, we can’t test, and without testing, we can’t meet our milestones. The fact that we identified, leased, and permitted this site in less than a year is a huge win.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for June 25th.
?? Washington, D.C. Update
The draft legislation emerging from the House Ways and Means Committee is still evolving and hasn’t reached the Senate yet, but as written, it would reduce clean energy subsidies—including those for wind. This would directly impact Airloom’s commercialization path.
That said, our internal modeling continues to show that Airloom will be the lowest-cost source of energy, even without subsidies. However, these tax credits are an important accelerator as we move toward market readiness.
Levin Picture1
We were in Washington last week to advocate for clean energy support and to advance Airloom’s federal priorities. Specifically, we're seeking continued support for clean energy tax credits and for Airloom’s FY26 budget request. Highlights include meetings with:
Senator Barrasso (WY) – Senate Republican Whip
Representative Hageman (WY)
Representative Levin (CA-49) (photo above)
Staff from several additional Senate offices
While in D.C., we also met with the U.S. Air Force Office of Energy Assurance (OEA). This office is tasked with ensuring uninterrupted, resilient energy at Air Force bases and could become an important strategic relationship for us.
? Free Electrons: Airloom is Australia-Bound
We were selected from a pool of over 1,200 applicants to participate in Free Electrons taking place in Sydney, Australia (May 19–22). Sponsored by leading European and Australian utilities, the program is a matchmaking platform for startups and utilities with the goal of establishing paid pilot projects.
We’re honored and excited to take part. Stay tuned for more in our June update.
⚙️ AFWERX & SBIR Updates
We were not selected for the two Direct to Phase II SBIRs we applied for in March. While disappointing, we are already submitting two new applications this month and are hopeful for better results this cycle.
? Key Dates Ahead
Groundbreaking – June 25
Critical Design Review – July
System Build – Summer
First System Power-On - November
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Technical Progress
This past month the technical team has focused on finishing the test stand designs and receiving hardware at the final integration and testing site. There are three test assemblies that are required to reduce the major technical risks of the Airloom system regarding the power transfer assemblies:
(1) Full-load, Full-speed Power Take-Off (PTO) testing
(2) Belt splice fatigue testing
(3) Dynamometer for motor efficiency and controls
Tech 1
Figure: Dedicated testing facility with Airloom test assemblies
power cabinets
Figure: Power cabinets have arrived
(1) The Full-load, Full-speed PTO testing assembly is required to transfer the power from the 25m/s (56mph) traveler, across the belt-to-belt interface, to the generator. The assembly has (a) QTY 2, 42” diameter rollers in the center assembly. The traveler belt assembly is spliced in a single location around these two rollers. The assembly then has a (b) motor PTO and a (c) generator PTO. The PTO assemblies are fabricated in the same manner with the same parts as they will be for the pilot assembly.
The approved 20-page test plan calls for the (b) motor PTO to be run up to full-speed (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) while simultaneously varying the (c) generator full-load (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) as shown below. This will allow for several opportunities for the team to check the belt and adjust the contact patches between the belts as more load is applied at higher speeds. The intention is to confirm load patch spacing, pressure, and splice interaction with the PTO continuous belts as well as power transfer efficiency to the simulation models.
Tech 2
Figure: Full-load, Full-speed belt-to-belt power transfer test assembly (top-down view)
showing (a) 42” roller assembly (b) motor PTO and (c) generator PTO
Tech 3
Figure: Full-load, Full-speed PTO testing assembly (side view)
Progress on this test stand includes fabrication of the long lead items (1) the 42” diameter idlers, (2) the QTY 8, 400mm idlers (light blue in the images above) and (3) belt splice (shown below). The generators and belts are already on-site. Additionally the mod-truss has been ordered and the rest of the assembly drawings are complete and sent out for fabrication.
The power cabinets show up this week at the testing facility, so it will go through its commissioning and safety checks then be integrated to the dyno (below) and then the fatigue test (below) and finally to the full-load, full-speed test shown here.
Tech 4
Figure: 42" diameter pully
Tech 5
Figure: Belt splice assembly
Tech 6
Figure: Belt splice integrated with mating belts shown similar to the full-load, full-speed testing assembly
(2) The Belt Splice Fatigue Test assembly is approximately 90% fabricated and assembled. The test assembly is meant to cyclically load the belt in the direction of travel over an accelerated lifetime to determine wear points in the splice assembly and/or belt. This will provide the team a way of inspecting the belt that is installed on the Airloom system during operations as well as determine lifetime for pro-active maintenance activities and O&M costs.
Tech 7 r1
Figures: Belt Splice Fatigue Assembly and CAD reference (inset)
Tech 8
Figure: Anchor plates (left) and cyclic linear assembly (right)
Tech 9
Figure: Hydraulics assembly (left) and Hydraulic cabinet and full assembly during test (right)
(3) The Dynamometer test stand is 95% complete. It is awaiting a final alignment after the power electronics are commissioned (expected by next week). The pictures below show the mounting plate, torque transducer tower, torque transducer and couplings.
Tech 10
Figures: Dynamometer testing hardware assembled (top), CAD assembly (bottom)
Finally we have hit the 3-month mark from installation of our MET tower. It's great to see that the wind direction and magnitude mimics historical databases, but most importantly this sets us up for expected winds during our winter 2026 testing campaign.
Tech 11
Figure: MET tower has been up for 3 months collecting wind data at Newkirk site
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Commercial Update
? Commercial Progress
Over the past month, we’ve refined our long-term business model, building out a 25-year financial projection. This includes:
System reliability and capacity factor assumptions
Full sales pricing model
Impact of our cost of goods sold on customer LCOE
This model provides a robust foundation for understanding Airloom’s scalability, capital requirements, and long-term margins—all essential for future growth and fundraising.
? Ecosystem Engagement
We continue to be active in the broader energy and innovation ecosystem:
Attended the Wyoming Venture Summit (April 9–11, Casper)
Attended the Wyoming Energy Authority Next Frontier Energy Summit (May 6-7, Laramie)
Presenting this week at the Jackson Hole Energy Summit (May 14–15)
Upcoming: Capital Factory Defense Academy (June 18, Austin)
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Upcoming Priorities
? Next Priorities
In the coming weeks, we’re focused on:
Sub-system testing, especially belt durability—a key de-risking step before full system integration
Planning the groundbreaking ceremony
Making the most of the Free Electrons program—a paid utility pilot would be a major win
Deepening our relationship with the USAF Office of Energy Assurance
Submitting two new Direct to Phase II SBIR proposals
Closing out our current private financing round
As always, thank you for your interest, encouragement, and belief in what we’re building at Airloom. We’re entering an exciting phase—building physical things—and we’re glad to have you with us.
—The Airloom team
The next era of resilient energy
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20250625 Airloom June Report
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Monthly Update from Airloom Energy - June 2025
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Jun 24, 2025, 10:13AM (21 hours ago)
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Friends of Airloom,
First, as we wrapped up May, we took a moment to remember and honor the fallen on Memorial Day.
?️ A Summer of Advocacy
As summer heats up,there's still a lot of uncertainty surrounding tariffs and potential cuts to energy tax credits. We've been actively engaged, meeting with the Wyoming congressional delegation, traveling to D.C. twice to connect with staff and elected officials, and collaborating with industry groups. We also just submitted this letter to the editor of Cowboy State Daily.
While 48E, 45Y and 45X are beneficial subsidies for Airloom, our system can be the lowest cost energy without them. So why do we advocate? For our customers, and for the bigger impacts these initiatives can have on Wyoming job creation and the broader investment landscape for our great state’s hardworking and innovative businesses. Because none of us exist on our own, we’re part of a community – one that Airloom deeply believes in and aims to contribute to as we build our foundations.
We will continue to do our part to advocate for a stable policy environment because long-term investment in transformative energy technologies like Airloom depends on it. As an early-stage company, we’re navigating significant technical and commercial milestones, and policy clarity plays a critical role in unlocking capital, attracting partners, and planning deployments. Volatility in incentives, permitting, or market rules makes it harder for innovative solutions across the entire energy landscape to scale.
? Major Milestone: Pilot Groundbreaking & Tech Validation
We're excited to announce that we're preparing for the pilot site groundbreaking on June 25th! This allows the team to remain incredibly focused on finalizing turbine design and building the system throughout the summer, with an aim to turn it on for the first time this fall. This system will produce a validated power curve, which will unlock our Series A.
You might be asking, “what’s a power curve?” It’s what we’re focused on most here at Airloom, and validating it through this pilot site is a top priority. The power curve is a data set that shows the relationship between wind speed and the amount of electrical power Airloom produces as a result. Breaking ground next week marks a significant step towards gathering real-world data that will validate Airloom’s models and set us on a path to achieving unprecedented low-cost and efficiency in the energy generation market, making it a truly exciting milestone.
Stay tuned to our LinkedIn page and our July newsletter for a recap of our groundbreaking activities, and a closer look at the site itself!
?Fundraising Pivot & Commercial De-risking
Fundraising is hard! As you may have read in the last 60 days we pivoted from TACFI to STRATFI, and just about the time we did that we got an opportunity to onboard a customer, so we're pivoting again! It was painful to re-do all the materials again, but...I think we're in a good spot now.
These new funds will be used to onboard a commercial customer for the pilot. By combining technical validation and commercial de-risking, we believe investors will see the compelling value in integrating these roadmap priorities.
This new capital will still benefit from matching government funds via STRATFI, which we’ll pursue in August 2025, but we're leading with the strength of the commercial opportunity.
Our updated pitch deck is available here if you’d like to see it.
? Pentagon Recognition & New Opportunities
We're thrilled to share a big win: we've submitted two additional Phase II SBIRs, and they were signed by a senior Pentagon official.
Having this endorsement is a huge testament to Airloom's potential impact.
We expect to hear about these (two) $1.25M awards in July.
? Expanding Our Network
We recently participated in "Free Electrons" in Sydney, Australia, a program sponsored by major European, Asian, and Australian utilities. We were selected from nearly 800 applications to be among the top 30. While we weren't chosen for the next phase, the program provided invaluable connections. We met with six global utilities and see a clear path forward to building a commercial demo with several of them. We'll be following up on one in particular (Oi Oi Oi!) in the coming months.
We've also been accepted into the "All Access" program of Capital Factory in Austin, Texas. Capital Factory boasts a large network of both traditional and dual-use investors, as well as a strong presence in the defense innovation world. This will be an invaluable resource as we raise our seed extension, future financings, and seek additional customers within the Department of Defense.
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Technical Progress
This past month the technical team has powered on the test stands and is preparing to test belts and splices.
Last month, you might remember that we discussed Test Stand A, B and D. Test Stand A long lead items have arrived and we are waiting for nominal CNC and waterjet parts to assemble. Test Stand B is ready for pulling on the actual belt, which is slated to arrive at the end of next week. And finally, Test Stand D is ready for final alignment, which is scheduled for June 18. We even had our first “power on” event, where we spun the motors on Test Stand D in preparation for the alignment.
To get to this exciting juncture, the design had to be settled, the power cabinets had to be fabricated and fully wired to the test stands, sensors and health telemetry had to be operational and showing up on the UI/UX, and all the hardware had to be delivered. That’s a lot of moving pieces – sometimes literally – to make meaningful progress!
By our July update, all hardware will be here for all tests, and each one should be running to test belts and belt splice.
Airloom June newsletter_tech img1
Figure: QTY 4 Converter Cabinets (CCs) delivered
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Figure: 42 inch wheel balanced with matching shaft (QTY 2 have been delivered)
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Figure: 400mm idlers for the PTO assembly
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Figure: Our mechanical engineer, Frank Weigand, standing next to Test Stand A
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Figures: 3-step process to assemble 2000lb generator in ModTruss
The team also started testing this past month on Test Stand B - the cyclic fatigue, full load machine. The machine and safety systems were completed a couple weeks ago including the pre-load hydraulic actuator, the cyclic hydraulic actuation systems, and health & telemetry communications. The output from this machine is the ability to pull a preload on the belt and simultaneously cycle a second hydraulic actuator to exhibit wear and tear on the belt components to determine where the belt is expected to fail. The results from this machine will allow the Airloom technical team to try several belt splice options and upgrades to get the maximum lifetime from these designs on the Pilot system.
We are also system testing our electronics for the traveler. The traveler electronics have been going through their own significant set of integrated tests and outdoor tests since the last update. Traveler electronics are a crucial element for wing angle control for optimal lift. This helps us make the most energy possible within the Airloom system.
As seen below, the traveler's electronics are assembled inside a vibration isolated box. Outside this box is the RF antenna, GPS antenna, wing pitch encoder, wind anemometer, and pitch actuator.
The team performed outdoor tests for access point / RF range, sensors and health telemetry, and integrated system checks at 25m/s. And the performance looks acceptable to move to the next stage! The team will now shift focus to integrate the simulation to the PLC, include all inputs from external sources, and then finally provide the traveler electronics the correct target set point for the pitch control.
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Figure: Traveler electronics
As for the pilot site, the geotech has been completed and we should see the report by the end of this week. This will allow us to finalize the design for the foundations and allow the team to start prepping the Laramie site for a first-of-a-kind tower and track installation assembly where we will be able to test our assembly techniques and learn the most efficient way to build the Airloom structure.
Additionally, the Converter Controller Containers (CCCs) and Ground Control Station (GCS) 40ft containers have arrived. These are what will help the Airloom team monitor, analyze, and optimize performance within the limits of the system. We had the GCS container modified with lights, outlets, breaker box, windows and doors to give the team an observation and meeting location for the pilot site. We have ordered all the components that will go inside this GCS.
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Figure: CCC and GCS containers arrived - ready to be outfitted next month
Finally and as always, we’ll end the technical update with the wind rose at the Newkirk site. Things are still trending to be very close to the historical wind rose data we used to pick the site, which means this site is optimal for the pilot project testing. We are very excited to get out on the site and begin fabrication and installation!
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Figure: 4 months of MET tower data collection, matches expected wind rose
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Commercial Update
In addition to the expanded commercial opportunities stemming from our participation in the Free Electrons and Capital Factory “All Access” programs, over the past month, we’ve had some exciting conversations:
? De-Risking Commercialization at our Pilot Site
On the commercial customer front for our pilot site, we're now actively working towards a term sheet with a data center services company. By engaging with a commercial partner, particularly in the field of data centers, Airloom can de-risk commercial viability while enabling critical solutions to the challenges faced by our grid.
? New Commercial Pathways with Farmers Network
And, we've opened another exciting commercial pathway through some productive conversations with a large network of farmers who are actively seeking innovative solutions for their energy needs. This network also has ties to a venture capital firm, so this partnership could potentially lead to both a commercial customer and an investment opportunity. Our next conversations take place in late June, where we’ll continue to explore fit and project terms.
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Upcoming Priorities
? Next Priorities
In the coming weeks, we’re focused on continued testing, our groundbreaking, and more fundraising and networking:
Sub-system testing, continued — this remains a key de-risking step before full system integration
Hosting the groundbreaking ceremony on June 25
Deepening our relationship with the USAF Office of Energy Assurance in preparation for STRATFI, diving into the Capital Factory network, negotiating with Airloom’s 2027 commercial demo partners, and pursuing opportunities with the utilities we met at Free Electrons, and curating the pilot project customer opportunity.
Preparing to receive and direct the $1.25M from Phase II SBIR grants
Raising our seed extension
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On the Calendar
June 25: Rock River, Wyoming, pilot site groundbreaking!
Next month, August 19 - 21: We’re back in Austin for the Capital Factory "Fed Supernova" event
October 7: “Pitch Day” at Startup Wyoming in Jackson.
This Fall: Airloom’s "Wyoming Chronicle" debut on Wyoming PBS television
As always, thank you for your support, encouragement, and belief in what we’re building at Airloom.
This month marks some incredible progress, and it feels palpable across our team – we hope you feel it, too.
We’ll be with you again next month sharing photos of our groundbreaking, along with a look ahead at Airloom’s busy second half of the year.
—Team Airloom
The next era of resilient energy
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We received another update from Airloom... Note inquiry from Australia
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Friends of Airloom,
It’s been a little over four weeks since our last newsletter and our pilot site groundbreaking, and just two weeks since legislators began to chisel away at U.S. energy security. And we’re taking it one week at a time.
While the outlook for clean energy without a doubt faces new headwinds, navigating regulatory wrenches isn’t new to renewables: Some of you may recall the volatility and short timelines of pre-IRA investment and production tax credits (ITC and PTC), or the accessibility and adoption setbacks in the transition from NEM 2.0 to 3.0 net metering programs in California. Every time, we found a way forward.
This might be one of the bigger wrenches yet, but from chaos comes opportunity.
⚡ Airloom is meeting a moment it was designed for
We always knew government subsidies weren’t permanent fixtures in our funding, and we’ve anticipated supply chain constraints from the get-go. We advocated on the hill, showing up, time and again: writing letters, meeting with staff, and even personally meeting with elected officials. Unfortunately, “other priorities” won the day.
So the reality is: we face new complexities that didn’t exist six weeks ago, like rethinking our early-stage commercialization and securing the funding we need to start collaborating with our first customer. But our path forward remains optimistic as we focus on "First Market Fit" in places where electricity buyers have demonstrated lower price sensitivity, such as data centers (Microsoft agreed to pay $115/MWh recently), the Department of Defense, and even remote locations like islands where they pay $450/MWh for diesel generator energy.
We’ll be sharing every step of our journey, just as we always do. And you can see more about the Airloom perspective in Neal’s latest article on LinkedIn here: Airloom Perspective - LI Article. We welcome your thoughts (and, give our page a follow, if you want to follow along!).
In this month’s newsletter, we’re opening up a closer look at the pilot site and technical progress, bright spots in fundraising momentum, and customer interest.
Airloom Energy, Pilot Site Groundbreaking, Team Photo
Image: Airloom Energy team at the pilot site groundbreaking on June 25, 2025, in Rock River, Wyoming.
? A Pilot Site in Motion
Even before the new pressure to move quickly on physical project development, moving from exciting designs to really building something is a big milestone. On June 25, in Rock River, WY, we hosted 30+ of the most meaningful leaders in Airloom’s network, from California to New England. Our Wyoming business community supported in full as well, with attendance from friends and colleagues from local and state government, partners in industry, and our neighbors, literally ?This came together as a result of several months of permitting and negotiations with the good people at the Albany County Planning office. The team worked incredibly hard to ensure our plans and approach were not only in line with Airloom commercialization roadmaps, but also in support of the growing Wyoming business landscape we’re proud to call home. Coupled with the last year spent heads down on design refinement and technical iterations, this is an incredibly proud moment in Airloom’s story.
And, we did it all right on schedule. Initial projections put our pilot results in 2026, so our world-class team is building through the summer with “power on” in the fall.
Massive respect and a heartfelt thank you to Andrew, Troy, Phillip, Sam, Justus, Mookwon, Frank, Bill, Richard, Jason, Fernando, and their teams who brought the highest standards in design, site planning and ops to make it happen.
Want more groundbreaking content? Read and share from the press buzz linked below, and keep an eye out for more in August.
TechCrunch: Bill Gates-backed Airloom begins building its first power plant
Renewables Now: Bill Gates-backed Airloom starts next-gen wind pilot in Wyoming
North American Clean Energy: Shared our press release with readers.
Electrek: Bill Gates-backed rectangular turbine pilot could upend wind power
Interesting Engineering: 'Ẃings' on poles: Bill Gates-backed breakthrough wind turbine facility breaks ground
Energy News: Airloom Energy launches strategic wind energy pilot project in the United States
Renewable Energy World: Gates-backed startup Breaks Ground on Pilot Site
Bigfoot99 Radio: Airloom Energy Starts Building Prototype Turbine in Albany County
TechBrew: How a new wind energy startup is adapting to the loss of federal tax credits? Fundraising Momentum
In our conversations with investors, we’re hearing that they understand energy generation is critical, and it’s getting squeezed by the OBBB and the new Executive Order seeking even more restrictions on wind and solar.Airloom is raising a seed extension to onboard a customer for our pilot project. This pilot was planned as only a technical validation, but now we have the opportunity to make it a commercial pilot.
Our insiders are doubling down, but we have room for 1-2 new investors ($1.5-3M available). We are open to a priced round or SAFE. Given the timeline, we'd prefer a SAFE.
We’re happy to report that we’re moving to diligence with 12 high-quality funds, with a goal of moving quickly enough to secure a term sheet in time for our STRATFI (government matching funds) application in early September.
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Commercial Update
Since the OBBB passed a couple weeks ago, we’ve been juggling a multitude of commercialization opportunities:Behind-the-meter projects and data center developers can’t source energy fast enough, or at the right price. We’re fielding calls daily, and will continue to explore these conversations as we firm up our GTM and look for best-fit customers.
We’re connecting with the Australia Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) about project potential in Australia, a super renewables-friendly market with fewer regulatory constraints.
We continue to dive deeper into the Capital Factory network. Primary objectives here are to 1) find new DoD customers 2) build a stronger relationship with labs such as “Army Futures Command” and 3) connect with potential investors.
We continue to negotiate final terms with our first potential customer to soon go under contract for collaboration at our Rock River pilot site.
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Technical ProgressOver the past month the technical team has been working hard to finish up the assembly of Test Stand A and was able to complete the 100kW testing milestone with Test Stand D. These are very important integration and testing platforms that will help inform us of how to integrate the generators, load banks, control cabinets, and several of the mechanical items into the Airloom final assembly.
Test Stand A integration is shown below - the Power Take Off (PTO) assembly is shown with (QTY 4) 400mm idler pulleys, (QTY 1) generator + sprocket, and (QTY 1) 3.85m continuous 150mm wide belt. The top plate has been removed from the first image to see the internal components. The plate was replaced and pinch rollers installed for the second image.
Figure: Top down image of Test Stand A Power Take Off (PTO) unit
Figure: Close up photo of Test Stand A
While the Test Stand A is going through final assembly, the electronics have been going through commissioning tests (as they will be the same set of electronics that will go to the pilot site). The electronics box below is built in a shippable, mobile rack and will control Test Stands A, B and D before being sent to the Newkirk site to be located within our Ground Control Station (GCS).
Figure: Electronics cabinet for testing equipment
Test Stand D was aligned and then tested over the last couple weeks. The team hit the 100kW mark for the motors and provided critical feedback on electronics, signals, and UI/UX interfaces at rated continuous power. This test stand will provide us a basis for controls parameters for each motor and a controls testbed as we enter the pilot’s final integration assembly and test phase in the coming weeks.
Figure: Test Stand D - 100kW dyno test
Additionally, the technical team has shipped the ground support equipment the project team needs to assemble the pilot test site. Below are three images for:
16” dia, 42ft long tower stands (stacking and movement of towers at Laramie/site)
QTY 2 Tower Dollys (rotating jackstands for welding and clocking assembly needs)
QTY 3 Mobile Track Stands (assembly fixtures for drilling and assembling the track)
….and if you read this far, yes, there are some 15m (49.2ft) long, 8”x8”x3/8” thick tubes ready for initial track assembly to the left of the mobile track stand... the design is coming to life, let’s go!Figure: Tower Stands
Figure: Tower Dollys
Figure: Mobile Track Stands - Assembly Tools
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Upcoming Priorities
? What's NextIn the coming weeks, we’re staying the course on financial pipelines, locking in our first commercial partner, and refining construction plans for ITC/PTC eligibility. This looks like:
Getting seed extension term sheets
Awaiting results of the 2x SBIR Phase IIs
Preparing to submit for STRATFI
Considering construction kickoff for our 2027 Commercial Demo, to ensure we qualify for ITC/PTC
Sub-system testing, continued — this remains a key de-risking step before full system integration
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On the Calendar
August 7: Capital Factory's "First Look"
August 19 - 21: We’re back in Austin for the Capital Factory "Fed Supernova" event
September 8-11 7: RE+, let us know if you'd like to meet while onsite.
October 11: Energy Day: Cowboy Football
October 16: Wyoming Global Tech Summit
This Fall: Airloom’s "Wyoming Chronicle" debut on Wyoming PBS televisionIt’s been a disruptive four weeks for the world of renewables. At Airloom, we know we’re building something that matters—and we’re making real progress. We have the team, the design, and the fundamentals to meet this moment head-on.
Thanks for celebrating our pilot site ground breaking with us. And for following along with our journey.
We’ll be with you again next month to report on the pilot site build out, funding, and commercial prospects.
Keep up with us between now and our next newsletter by following our LinkedIn - we’ll be sharing more updates there as we move into H2!
—Team Airloom
The next era of resilient energy
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We received our latest update from Airloom.... The report is full of details about how management is working funding opportunities. Of particular note this month is a tax mitigation strategy offered by a department of the US government that appears to still be working normally.
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Monthly Update from Airloom Energy - August 2025
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Aug 26, 2025, 10:13PM (9 hours ago)Friends of Airloom,
It’s been a busy summer for the Airloom team! While we’ve taken some time to be with family and friends, we’ve also continued the momentum on pilot site development, building coalitions, exploring our go-to-market pathways, and nearing a close on our seed extension.
⚡ Airloom in Austin, x3?
⚙️ Tapping into the Capital Factory networkA couple weeks ago, our CEO Neal took the stage at Capital Factory’s First Look, pitching the Airloom opportunity to a room of investors and partners. He spotlighted our novel turbine design, and how we’re building an energy generation device that’s not only the lowest-cost (even without subsidies), but also deliverable in months—not years.
We made a quick U-turn for Capital Factory’s Fed Supernova event this week. Pun intended, the program was electric: entrepreneurs, government, and industry coming together to put commercial technology in the hands of the DoD. And energy security was at the top of the agenda.
Screenshot 2025-08-20 10.57.57 AM
Image: (Left) Airloom CEO Neal Rickner pitching at the Capital Factory First Look in August. (Right) Neal back at the Capital Factory Fed Supernova event.It’s events like these where we can really see the Airloom story take hold: we’re shaping the future of energy generation—built with low-cost, readily available materials like steel and aluminum that can be sourced locally and mass manufactured. We’ve loved sharing the message, and learning from others in these high-caliber communities.
? Back again in March 2026?
We just didn’t get enough of Austin this month – we’ve also submitted a panel for SXSW 2026, “Resilient by Design: A Scalable Future for U.S. Energy,” alongside our friends at Exowatt and Rune. We should hear back about final programming in the fall -- we'll let you know what we find out!mark-1
Commercial UpdateWe finally have guidance from the Department of the Treasury on what will qualify as the “start of construction:”
Onsite work: Excavation for foundations, setting anchor bolts, installing racks or mounting structures, or, offsite work: Manufacturing components are under a binding written contract (not held in inventory).
Preliminary activities such as permitting, site clearing and financing don’t count.
To receive the 48E PTC (production tax credits), projects must complete either "onsite work" or "offsite work" by July 4, 2026, at which point they’re given four years to be “placed in service” (2030). If those milestones are reached, the project will be eligible for the PTC for 10 years.
For Airloom, this means we’re laser focused on starting excavation for our commercial demo site’s foundations by July 4 next year. And we’ll be gathering more details on what “continuous construction” means.
At the same time, we’re navigating increased momentum across three commercial pathways.
International attention: Developers from Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and Chile have all reached out. Thanks to our Advisor from Norway, Astrid Onsum, Norway is also on our radar.
Data center energy infrastructure developers remain hungry: These builders still aren’t sure where they are going to get the power they need.
We had one builder ask us how fast we could deliver a gigawatt! (We said 2028).
Hyperscalers are too, and they’ve got budget: We’re in early talks with the hyperscaler teams. Here’s why: this graphic shows that hyperscalers are willing to pay as much as a 100% premium to bring data centers online two years earlier!
Power price premium, data centers in 2yrs
Figure: JP Morgan’s Data Center Roadmap (2024), sent to Airloom through investor channels.And this is why the conversations are opening up for Airloom.
While nearly all other sources of energy generation are “heavy industrial,” taking years to install and come online, Airloom is bringing a paradigm-shifting solution to these prospects. Informed by 150 years of industrial knowledge, and our own set of principles that address the cracks in the status quo:
Simplicity Drives Reliability and Scale
Passive Systems Are Preferable to Active Ones in Bulk Hardware
Manufacturing and Supply-Chain Constraints are Core Constraints (Not Afterthoughts)
Tolerant to Variability and Benign Failure
Each Subsystem Must Be Independently Replaceable
Maximum Utilization of Site and Local Conditions
Energy and Forces Work for You, Not Against You
Minimize Moving Parts
Accessibility and Serviceability
And,10. Levelized Cost of Energy is the Only Real Metric
Fast, lower-cost energy, at sites previously unattainable. We’ve got a lot of work to do as we validate the system, but this is the future we’re building, faster than a single HAWT can get to “power on.”
In the next few monthly updates, we’ll spotlight each of these principles in depth, with specific examples on how Airloom is bringing them to life in our next-generation turbine designs!
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Pilot Site Report
In the two months since we broke ground at our pilot site in Rock River, WY, we've been able to begin construction on an access road, carve out our laydown parking, set up our ground control station where on-site observation and data analysis happens, and begin our survey layout where we'll be installing the Airloom oval-shape track.The team has engaged contractors to 1) execute the surveys, and 2) deliver foundations in the next few weeks where the towers will be stood up. If you missed the groundbreaking event this short video tells the story very well:
Groundbreaking Link Photo 2025-08-25
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Figure: Pilot project site, looking NW at the ground control station20250820_144000
Figure: Pilot project site, looking due East at the new road and laydown parking areamark-1
Technical Progress
The test stands continue to make progress and are in commissioning this week. As a reminder, these are where we’re de-risking the power system, belt, and power offtake system (PTO). Test Stand A motor and belt assembly achieved their milestone this week spinning at 1000RPM (expected RPM for full system operations). We will continue this testing by adding in the generator next week and ramping up the RPM and load to full capacity with the new belt splice.In this test, we're validating that our mechanical design for the belt and power transfer from the wing to the electric motor can 1) handle the loads 2) operate at the speeds we need it to and 3) efficiently transfer the energy from wind to wing to belt to electric motor.
Aug monthly update, img1
Figure: Testing of Test Stand A at 1000 RPM - safety requires viewing from the GCS screenAug monthly update, img2
Figure: GUI read-out of 1000 RPM (lower right “DR4 - PTO1 Right Motor”)The belt splice also went through successful testing this past week, max-ing out our strength testing equipment above 12,000 lbs. ultimate tensile strength where our expected loads on the belt top out at 3,750 lbs. in normal operation. This success allows us to move the belt splice to Test Stand A for loading tests and then Test Stand B for fatigue testing. We are currently fabricating this equipment needed for these test integrations.
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Figure: Belt Splice strength testingBelt Splice Test Break
Figure: We eventually pulled it hard enough to break - well north of the measurable 12,000 lbsIn last month’s update we shared with everyone the ground support equipment for tower manufacturing - the tower stands and dollys. Below are the QTY 20 towers delivered to Airloom HQ where the flanges were welded on. The flanges are used to connect the towers to the foundations. We accomplished that with the rotation dollys and the tower stands for safe storage and staging. Next will be to fasten the guy line clevises, that allow for additional load support, and saddle flanges, that will host the rail connections, and paint the towers before they are delivered to the pilot site for assembly.
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Figure: QTY 20 towers delivered to Airloom HQ with welded flangesAug monthly update, img8
Figure: 42ft, 16” dia towers with welded flanges in Airloom dollysScreenshot 2025-08-19 2.15.44 PM
Figure: ⅜” thick steel Tower Clevis (left), tower flanges (right)As the pilot site's tower foundations are constructed, we will assemble QTY 2 full track sections to ensure safety, assembly plan, and part fit before cutting the rest of the track parts. Below are some of those parts, such as the track vertical ties and the track connectors.
Screenshot 2025-08-19 2.17.17 PM
Figure: Track tie verticals (left) and Track connections with tower shims (right)We have also been collecting long lead parts for our first wing, boom, and elevator tail integration to a traveler with wheels. The sum of these components are what allow us to most effectively and efficiently capture the wind energy with slight variation to directionality. This assembly will allow us to verify the suspension on the traveler and electronics integration before making all 12 travelers with wings. In the case of the pilot site, the system will have 12 travelers, but this quantity will adapt to each project scope and size.
Screenshot 2025-08-19 2.18.58 PM
Figure: 4” dia carbon boom, 7.5” dia main wing spar (left) and 10” dia wheel nylon (right)20250818_163457
Figure: Our friendly neighbors checking on progressmark-1
Upcoming Priorities
? What's NextSeptember brings two big events for energy and renewables: RE+ in Las Vegas, and New York Climate Week. Neal will be on the ground for both!
Keep an eye out for the North American Clean Energy RE+ issue as well: Neal contributed a guest piece about wind’s need for reinvention, from “heavy industrial” to “Model T.”
The road ahead looks a little like this:
Getting seed extension wrapped up
Preparing to submit for STRATFI
Considering construction kickoff for our 2027 Commercial Demo, to ensure we qualify for ITC/PTC
Sub-system testing, continued — this remains a key de-risking step before full system integration
Critical Design Review
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On the Calendar
September 8-11: RE+, Las Vegas
Sept 22-26: New York Climate Week
October 11: Energy Day: Cowboy Football
October 13: Rotary Club Presentation in Casper, Wyoming
October 14: City of Laramie Council Work Session Presentation (Wyoming)
October 16: Wyoming Global Tech Summit
Oct 28-30: Verge25 in San Jose, CA
Nov 6: Defense Tech and Dual Use Conference, San Francisco, CA
Nov. 16-17: TEDxBoston Planet Action 2025If you look back on our past few monthly updates, there’s tangible momentum we’re deeply committed to building on as we move through 2025. From pilot site progress, to closing our seed extension, to growing Airloom’s visibility in the renewables and tech spaces in press and at events. A productive summer is opening up to a well-rounded fall.
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—Team Airloom
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First equation for wind created power.
Air speed, mass, and force are related through the principles of aerodynamics and Newton's laws of motion. Force is the product of mass and acceleration (F=ma). For objects moving through air, the speed (specifically, the velocity relative to the air) influences the aerodynamic forces acting on the object, such as lift and drag. These forces are proportional to the density of the air, the relative velocity squared, and the object's frontal area.
How they are connected:
Force & Mass/Acceleration:
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Newton's second law states that a net force applied to an object causes it to accelerate, changing its speed. An object's mass dictates how much it resists this change in motion (inertia).
Air Speed & Aerodynamic Force:
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When an object moves through air, it experiences aerodynamic forces. The faster the relative air speed, the greater the force exerted by the air on the object, with the force increasing by the square of the velocity.
Mass Flow Rate:
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The mass of air passing a point over time is the mass flow rate, which can be calculated by multiplying density, velocity, and area.
Examples:
Aircraft Lift:
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A wing is shaped to make air travel faster over the top surface than the bottom. This increased speed reduces pressure, creating an upward lift force.
Falling Objects:
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As an object falls, air resistance (a form of aerodynamic drag) opposes gravity. This resistance, which depends on the object's speed, increases as the object falls faster.
Terminal Velocity:
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Eventually, the drag force equals the force of gravity, and the object stops accelerating, reaching a constant speed called terminal velocity. A parachute increases drag by increasing the surface area, which slows the descent
second is the force against the windmill blade.
Wind turbine blades generate force from the interaction between their speed, the air's speed and density, and their shape, but the mass of the blade itself is a factor that influences how quickly it accelerates and its resistance to changes in motion, affecting the turbine's overall rotational dynamics. Specifically, the blade experiences aerodynamic lift and drag forces as it moves through the wind, with the tips moving faster and generating more lift than the base. This interaction, combined with the mass of the blade, creates a system where the blade's mass affects the overall moment of inertia, influencing how the blade responds to the varying forces of the wind and how quickly it reaches an optimal operating speed.
Aerodynamic Forces & Blade Motion
Air Speed:
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The speed of the air passing the blade is a combination of the real wind speed and the "headwind" created by the blade's own rotation.
Lift and Drag:
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The air moving over the blade's surface creates aerodynamic forces: lift, which causes rotation, and drag, which opposes motion.
Relative Air Speed:
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The relative air speed varies along the blade, with the tips moving much faster than the roots, resulting in greater lift at the tips.
Angle of Attack:
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Blades will gather speed until their motion reduces the angle of attack of the air to approximately zero, at which point they stop generating lift and maintain their speed.
Mass of the Blade
Moment of Inertia:
A blade's mass is a crucial component of its moment of inertia, a measure of its resistance to changes in rotational motion.
Acceleration:
A larger mass (and thus greater moment of inertia) means a smaller acceleration, which affects how long it takes for the blades to reach their steady-state operational speed.
Fatigue and Design:
Blade mass is also an important consideration for fatigue loading and the overall design of the wind turbine, with longer, heavier blades generally being characteristic of turbines with higher power ratings.
Relationship Between Factors
Energy Transfer:
A turbine's blades extract power from the moving air, converting kinetic energy into rotational mechanical energy.
Mass and Speed:
While the mass of the air is what carries the energy, the mass of the blade itself is what receives the force from the air and translates it into rotation.
Dynamic Balance:
There is a complex dynamic balance between wind speed, blade speed, blade geometry, air density, and the blade's mass to achieve efficient power generation
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