Modelling of the dynamic behaviour of a laddermill, a novel concept to exploit wind energy

Recently a novel concept, called the laddermill, was brought forward in order to exploit the high energy flux of wind at high altitudes. This device consists of a number of wings connectedbycables. A wayto modelthis deviceis presented, whichconsidersthewingsasrigidbodiesandthepartsofthe cables between them as flexible. A special truss element for modelling cables is described. The aerodynamic forces are described as is usual for cables and aircraft. An application to apreliminary designconceptfor a laddermillis presented.