This Idea takes the original (linked) WIndricity notion in a new
direction. We start with two tall towers maybe half-a-
kilometer
apart on an east-west axis, with a cable suspended between
(probably made of carbon nanotubes, for both strength and
light-
ness).
Attached to the cable are
airfoils of a specific design. A west-
to-
east wind will generally blow along the length of the cable; we
want the attached airfoils to impart a sideways motion to the
cable. For small amounts of wind, the cable will probably swing
back and forth. But for larger amounts of wind, the cable will
swing in a large circular pattern, much like two children moving
a
jump-rope they hold while on a playground.
This motion of the electrically conductive cable will pass
through
some of the Earth's magnetic field-lines, and generate
electricity
along the length of the cable. Due to the circular motion,
alternating current will be produced, at a fairly low frequency.
If
it takes 5 seconds for the cable to make one complete circle,
then
the alternating current frequency will be 5 seconds per cycle,
or
1/5 Hertz.
It also won't be a large amount of current that gets generated.
But that is OK, here at the HalfBakery.