Hi @normandajc
Great to see a challenge to energy models.
Just to help framing our understanding … is your “potential energy” the accumulated sum of strain energy from structural bending?
Rather like in section 3.3.2 Equilibrium and compatibility equations of Achieving ultralight, rigid, durable, low-cost composite AWE kites with efficient design and manufacturing Florian Breipohl, Enerkite GmbH - #2 by Rodread
If so
fine that is energy lost (not converted for extraction) in a standard rotor.
Any blade is only converting a portion of energy to torque and to thrust
Recovering the stressed shape energy in a lull will only give a very temporary and limited boost.
Does your proposal recover strain energy from the system somehow in a cyclic manner?