Windmills might be dangerous to birds, and they risk damage due to storms. But what if they were all bladeless? Like a Dyson fan? That's the idea behind the Delft University of Technology's EWICON.

It's known as the Electrostatic Windenergy Convertor, and it's composed of a steel frame filled with criss cross metal tubes that release electrically charged water droplets. It's blown away by the wind, and current is produced that can be used to generate electricity. EWICON should also run absolutely silent even in heavy winds.

For now the structure is a concept but hopefully we'll be seeing more of these soon. [Delft University of Technology via designboom]