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Participation

Becoming a shareholder

Currently we are raising funds to bring our concepts to life. Feel free to contact us if you’re interested in becoming a shareholder. Please note that participation has a minimum price of €25.000,-.

Collaborate

TouchWind is a company in the business of concepts. We do not sell physical products, nor do we intend to do so. We sell licences that allow other companies to produce any of our inventions. For that reason we are open to collaboration with companies that have experience in mass production of wind turbines.

Our Plan

Step 1 – The patent

For a group of start-up idealists, patents aren’t cheap. So after the invention was as solid as we saw fit, we opened up our piggy banks, loaned from our neighbours, our sisters, our friends and our families, to bring our vision to life.

Step 2 – Getting ready

With the help of of engineers, business counselors, tax- and legal advisors, we have created a solid base that allows us to grow.

Step 3 – Funds

Funds are essential for our progress. Currently we are raising funds for our next prototype.

Step 4 – Prototyping

Currently we have managed to build a 3 meter model. For more reliable testing, a 6 meter step will be our next step. This will tell us more about forces within the system.

After that, a 12-15 meter prototype will be made. This model will allow us to learn more about the exact aerodynamics of our rotor system. Wind tunnels, smoke, high speed cameras and other high tech will be essential. As current software simulations are still not 100% reliable, such models are crucial for conclusive proof of concept.

Step 5 – Collaborate: 120 meters and up

We do not sell any physical products because we do not have any mass production facilities. Nor do we have the intention to do so. To share our concepts with the world, we would like to collaborate with experienced companies in the field of offshore wind energy. This could be any company able to convince us of their ability to efficiently mass produce our concept with a rotor diameter of 120 meters and up.

Step 6 – Pulling our planet forward

Our mission is very clear. We are going to make wind energy cheaper than energy produced from fossil fuels.

We know this sounds ridiculous, so we would like to invite you to the product page of TouchWind Mono where you can make your own estimations. You will find that our mission is no joking matter. Wind energy will be cheaper than fossil fuel energy.

The future

The Netherlands

Our planet is melting. And so most governments have raised the bar for sustainable energy. Here, in the Netherlands goals are ambitious. Currently, our country’s total capacity of offshore wind turbines is roughly 1.000 megawatt. In 2030 the government strives to be at 12.000 megawatt. Or maybe even more.

It took our country 12 years to get to this capacity. For the next 12 years the goal is set at roughly the same amount. With one difference: this capacity has to be added annually. This means 12 times the amount, within 12 years.

Other countries

Obviously, The Netherlands is just one example of a tiny country. Comparable goals are set everywhere around the globe. For your convenience, we have listed some examples:

Floating wind turbines

Floating turbines have great potential for our planet’s future. Especially countries with deeper coastal waters are in need for floating solutions. The added depth makes for higher production costs, but deeper sites often come with higher wind speeds.

This article is a good start for essential basic knowledge within the topic of floating turbines.

TouchWind

TouchWind does not sell any physical products. Our focus is to collaborate with parties that have sufficient experience in the mass production of wind turbines. Together we can give our planet its 200 meter wind turbine.

In the near future, we will bring other concepts to the market too. These will appear in our products section very soon.

What size is a TouchWind Mono?

Our goal is to realise a TouchWind Mono with a 200 meter diameter. Of course, as is the case with any product, this is a step by step process. Likewise, the Wright brothers did not start by flying a Boeing 747.

Is a rotor that is non-perpendicular to the wind less efficient?

The short answer is: Possibly, but probably not.

The longer answer is:
TouchWind’s rotor is a complete new way of looking at aerodynamics. Most engineers were convinced our system would never even be possible. This changed after we had made our prototype.

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Complex aerodynamics is not something that can be analysed by calculations only. So for a definitive answer to this question, a bigger prototype is necessary. Only after said prototype has been in a wind tunnel, smoke tests have been performed, and high speed camera footage has been analysed will we be able to fully answer this question. After this, years of research and development have yet to take place for a definitive scientific answer.

For now, all we know is that our prototype (3 meter diameter) has shocked the world of aerodynamics. We did our measurements and have discovered that this specific non-perpendicular rotor does not have to be significantly less efficient. In fact, we are confident that they will prove to be more efficient.

Mono

How much will TouchWind Mono cost?

Cost calculation is very complex matter and something that can only be done once every detail of the concept is specific.

Nevertheless we did make estimated cost calculations. These prognoses appear to be at approximately 50% production and installation costs compared to current generations of bottom-fixed turbines of the same size. These rough calculations are based on our conceptual design in comparison to traditional turbines with the same rotor diameter.

Are there any major disadvantages to the TouchWind Mono?

Part of the conceptual design is a faster spinning rotor blade. This means that our wind turbine will produce more sound and is therefore less suitable for rural areas.

Is TouchWind Mono able to deal with bigger waves?

Due to its two buoy design, smaller sized Monos are less suitable for seas with bigger waves. Our estimated rule of thumb is that the highest wave should not be bigger than 1/5th of its rotor diameter.
In conclusion, this means a rotor with 120 meters diameter is suitable for any sea or wave.