‘Wings’ on poles: Bill Gates-backed wind tech plant takes off in US

Airloom Energy, a Wyoming-based startup backed by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, has begun construction on its first pilot facility in Rock River, aiming to revolutionize utility-scale wind energy. The company secured $13.75 million in funding last year to develop its innovative wind turbines, which are notably smaller and lighter than conventional models—standing at 82 feet compared to the typical 328 feet. Unlike traditional horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs), Airloom’s proprietary design features compact, modular turbines with rectangular swept areas, enabling higher energy conversion efficiency in less space. This approach addresses growing US energy security concerns and the anticipated energy shortfalls forecasted by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Gartner. Airloom Energy’s CEO Neal Rickner emphasizes the urgent need for affordable, flexible, and rapidly deployable energy systems to meet increasing electricity demand driven by factors such as AI and digital infrastructure growth. The company’s turbines, made with mass-manufacturable US components, can