SoylentNews

MorbidBBQ [soylentnews.org] writes:

Solar Wind Tower [gizmag.com]
The tower at the center of the solar/wind hybrid system generates a downdraft that drives the wind turbines positioned around its base. This is done by using a series of pumps to carry water to the top of a tower standing from 685m to 1300m tall, where it is cast across the opening as a fine mist. The mist then evaporates and is absorbed by hot, dry air, thereby cooling the air and making it denser and heavier than the warmer air outside the tower.

This water-cooled air then falls through the hollow tower at speeds up to and in excess of 50 mph (80 km/h). When it reaches the bottom of the tower, the air is directed into wind tunnels that surround the base, turning wind turbines that are contained within the tunnels.

To put the size in perspective, it will need to be taller than the Empire State Building (381m) [youtube.com].
An additional benefit will be water desalinization [youtube.com]

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