New technology converts jet wind into electricity

Aircraft taking off move an enormous amount of air. The American company JetWind Power Corporation now wants to use the jet wind that is released to generate energy. In this way, airplanes, which are polluting because they usually run on kerosene and emit CO2, can still contribute to sustainability.

The idea is not revolutionary. In 2015, Eindhoven Airport, for example, hoped to do something ecologically useful with that wind, but the project didn’t take off. However, Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) is now the first airport in the world to use JetWind, and according to the company behind the technology, more than a dozen airports worldwide are interested.

Turbine pods

The technology is based on the wind caused by powerful jet engines taking off. The propulsive force of a jet engine equals that of 28 Formula 1 race cars. Five giant turbine pods capture the jet wind on the tarmac and transform it into sustainable, environmentally friendly energy that can be used throughout the airport.

“Man-made wind that would otherwise be wasted is now a useful resource reducing stress on energy grids and paving the way for smarter, greener infrastructure worldwide,” says JetWind Founder and President Dr. T.O. Souryal.

Souryal, a surgeon and former Dallas Mavericks team doctor, got the idea years ago while sitting in the window seat of a plane departing from Burbank, California. He noticed the aircraft was producing a lot of wind and debris while preparing to take off.

“It would be great if we could capture some of the wind,” he thought. One thing led to another, and after numerous experiments, he struck a deal with Dallas Love Field Airport to test the JetWind technology, which has now been perfected.

Strong international interest

The wind from the jet exhaust is being converted into electricity to power two new device-charging stations inside the airport. Patrick Carreno, Dallas’ director of aviation, says the stations have already charged about 10,000 personal devices.

According to Carreno, the amount generated can power 100 homes annually. The plan is to switch from 5 to 13 turbine pods, the world’s first patented Energy Capturing Pods (ECPs), which would increase the total amount of energy generated.

According to JetWind, there is also strong international interest in the technology. From Australia, Ecuador, Brazil, Switzerland, Britain, and France, alongside visionary projects like NEOM, the planned city being built by Saudi Arabia in Tabuk Province, there is keen interest in the technology’s potential.

The company aims to install super high-speed turbines at the base of the runway within five years, where there is much more wind, much more traffic, and much more potential energy can be generated so that airports involved can put even more extra power where it may be needed.