Are vertical blades on-track to revolutionise wind power?

The article discusses Airloom Energy, a US startup that is innovating wind power technology with a compact, oval-track turbine system featuring smaller, independent vertical blades or "wings." Unlike traditional large horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs), Airloom’s design operates on a lower profile and uses a track along which these wings move to capture wind energy. This approach promises to deliver utility-scale power while using significantly fewer materials, reducing costs, and enabling faster, modular deployment. The design also aims to minimize visual impact and logistical challenges associated with the construction and transportation of conventional massive turbines. Airloom’s concept originated from an informal sketch by founder Robert Lumley, inspired by kiteboarding and airborne wind energy ideas. CEO Neal Rickner highlights that the system’s smaller, mass-producible components can be shipped via standard trucks and assembled quickly, addressing current industry hurdles such as rising steel and aluminum tariffs that threaten to increase turbine costs. By fundamentally rethinking turbine architecture, Airloom Energy aims to accelerate the