Inflatable, free-standing solar updraft tower with optimal geometry and active control

A self-supporting chimney apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of isolated toroidal tubes stacked coaxially on top of one another, said tubes having sidewalls, the sidewalls comprising at least one inflatable compartment, the at least one inflatable compartment being filled with a gas;
• a central passageway defined by said stacked tubes;
• said central passageway connected to a greenhouse, said greenhouse having an inlet and an outlet, said outlet in communication with said central passageway;
• and
• a gas control system that dynamically adjusts the pressure in one or more of said compartments to dynamically adjust the apparatus to minimize the deflection of the apparatus under variable wind loading, said gas control system comprising a pressure sensor, a first valve adapted to vent gas in a compartment into the atmosphere, a second valve connected to a high-pressure reservoir, said second valve releases gas from said high-pressure reservoir into a compartment, and said high pressure reservoir adapted to receive gas from a pump.