This whole business of generating energy from kites may seem like a bunch of bull, but the technology is gaining support and the research and development continues to output some impressive numbers (and cool concept images).
Take for instance these latest figures that show much lower electric energy production cost and installation impact. From the article,
“A single 500 m**2 kite with 12 m/s nominal wind speed and aerodynamic efficiency (i.e. CL=CD) equal to 12 would be able to generate 10 MW mean power. 100 such kites towing a 1500 m radius carousel would generate 1000 MW mean power with about 7-8 km**2 land occupation and with an estimated energy production cost ten times lower than the one obtained by fossil fuel thermal plants. Note that a wind farm producing the same mean power, using the present wind mill technology, would have a territory occupation of about 250-300 km**2 and an energy production cost 40-50% higher than thermal plants.”
So, whereas a traditional turbine might cost $1.2 million, a comparable KiteGen plant would run about $85,000. A considerable discount for similar energy results. For an even more massive installation, a 100 MW kite generating plant would use a carousel of airfoils to generate power. This capability of controlling the flight of a single kite, by pulling the two lines which hold it, would extract a significant amount of energy. According to results, the energy produced would be less than 0.03 Euro per kWh.
For more information, check out the Italian company behind the idea, KiteGen. And yes, they’re looking for investors.
8 Comments
Uh, let me be the first to notice this, but that thing will not turn. You’d need 2 seperate air currents in opposite directions to make the turbine work. As a concept it’s really just a glorified kite holder.
The pictured design would never work for wind generation: all the kites are pulling in the same direction. To work the kites would need to be put in a non-power position on the up-wind side of the rotation and back into a power position (45 degrees) on the downwind side. Additionally, parafoils are notoriously difficult to launch automatically. On a light wind day this design would simply become a tangled mess.
Here’s how Wired describes the process:
“When wind hits the KiteGen, kites spring from funnels at the ends of poles. For each kite, winches release a pair of high-resistance cables to control direction and angle. The kites are not your Saturday-afternoon park variety but similar to those used for kite surfing — light and ultra-resistant, capable of reaching an altitude of 2,000 meters.
KiteGen’s core is set in motion by the twirl of the kites; the rotation activates large alternators producing current. A control system on autopilot optimizes the flight pattern to maximize the juice produced as it sails on night and day. A radar system can redirect kites within seconds in case of any interference: oncoming helicopters, for example. Or small planes or even single birds.”
There’s also a video of the concept here: http://sequoiaonline.com/blogs/ARCHIVIOscelti/filmkwg.mov
Oh, the kites twirl. Wha??
I’ll bet they’re looking for investors.
That’s really interesting. Great concept. Have you seen the one where they use kites to help pull tanker ships? That one is cool as well.
Here is the link. It’s old news but I find it really interesting.
http://www.kiteship.com/marine.php
Nic/Geoff/Joe, The carousel can easily be made to turn, if you think it can’t, you have clearly never flown a modern controllable kite, they can either pull down wind, 90 degrees either side of downwind or not at all if kept at zenith. If you still can’t figure this out, get 2 kites and a friend and do it on a kids playground roundabout(dont know if they have these in the US). You’ll get some stange looks but it does work!
see http://www.skysails.de for ship pulling
hello
i’am doing a research to make a playground carousel that would produce energy when it spins…if you have any information or a website with information send me an e-mail to ryder_cru@hotmail.com.
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