Eco Factor: Kite to generate 1MW of power from high altitude winds.
California-based high altitude wind company Makani Power will be developing a 1MW prototype of its energy-harvesting kite. The kite will be able to fly through the air at high altitudes to generate more energy than conventional wind turbines.
Conventional wind turbines are limited in their height and are unable to reach the high-speed winds available at higher altitude, which can be used to produce a higher level of kinetic energy. The company believes that capturing a small fraction of the global high altitude wind energy would be sufficient to power the entire planet.
Makani Power is now developing kites that can harvest energy from wind streams at up to 600m altitude. These kites will be flown by robots enabling them to be kept afloat for a long period of time.
Via: Business Green
