Wyoming serves as a prototype for a novel form of wind generation that differs substantially from the traditional tall-tower, long-blade turbine design.
The new concept is shorter than the towers and blades used in many utility-scale wind projects. The structure takes the form of a flat, horizontal layout.
Its appearance has been compared to a roller coaster rather than the standard “wind farms” seen throughout the country.
Airloom Energy held a groundbreaking ceremony for a demonstration site near Rock River, Wyoming, in June 2025. The start-up claims the technology could reduce costs, simplify installation, and create additional sites capable of utilizing wind energy.
Why bigger turbines may not be the only answer
For decades, the wind industry has followed a singular path. Manufacturers have continually expanded tower heights, enlarged blade sizes, and developed larger turbines.
This growth in turbine capacity has resulted in significantly lower costs per unit of energy produced and higher levels of energy output.
However, according to Airloom, this trend cannot continue indefinitely. In addition to requiring expensive transportation methods, the specialized cranes and infrastructure needed to install traditional turbines can greatly add to the expense of these projects. Moreover, those installation requirements limit potential locations for deployment.
Airloom contends that a different method of building wind turbines may be able to produce similar results at lower costs.
The concept still has something to prove
The company claims the technology may be ideal for areas with restrictive height limits, difficult terrain, and limited existing infrastructure. That claim appears to be attracting a great deal of interest from investors such as Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the climate-focused venture capital firm co-founded by Bill Gates.
The concept is also generating interest from other governmental and private entities.
For example, the Wyoming Energy Authority granted Airloom $5 million to assist in further developing the technology. Additionally, the company has received financial support from several groups primarily interested in renewable energy technologies and climate-related issues.
Airloom Energy began constructing a pilot project designed to test and validate its design before larger demonstrations in the coming years.
The real test begins now
It remains unclear whether the concept will ultimately be successful.
Some experts within the wind energy industry have raised concerns about how well Airloom’s low-profile design can compare to traditional turbines operating at significantly greater heights.
The strength and consistency of winds typically found at elevated heights can significantly impact the performance of wind turbines.
Some critics also point to previous examples of non-traditional wind turbine designs that did not successfully transition into commercially viable products.
Therefore, Airloom’s pilot project serves as more than just a major construction achievement. Rather, it represents a test of whether an alternate style of wind turbine technology can succeed in a very competitive industry.
How does the roller coaster design actually work?
Airloom’s system is fundamentally different from a standard wind turbine. Instead of rotating massive blades around a central axis, it utilizes vertically oriented airfoils that travel along an oval-shaped track.
According to the company, air flowing through the system produces energy. That energy is captured by the airfoils as they travel along the oval-shaped track.
In comparison to traditional three-blade turbines, the entire Airloom system remains closer to the ground. Components are placed approximately 80 feet above grade.
Rather than producing a circular swept area, Airloom’s design produces a rectangular swept area.
Why Airloom thinks the design could work
Airloom says that configuration could capture more wind using smaller components. In addition, the design is expected to be easier to transport and install than traditional wind turbines.
The pilot facility being constructed in Wyoming will allow engineers to measure and evaluate those assertions using actual data collected during operation.
If Airloom’s claims are validated, the design could demonstrate that wind energy does not necessarily require taller towers and longer blades.
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