Imagine being able to draw energy directly from the sky. To that end, several kite power businesses are working successfully. They claim that there are numerous benefits to the new technology.
Ars Technica reports that it is more efficient and also less expensive to make and ship. Florian Bauer, co-CEO and CTO of Kitekraft, a Munich-based business creating a kite power system. He claims that the carbon footprint is likewise considerably less. “Why would someone install a conventional wind turbine if you have all those benefits?”
What causes airborne wind?
How exactly does the technology known as airborne wind operate? One such business, KiteMill, breaks down the procedure into three steps:
1. Kite, to start
An airplane with a unique design made of composite materials is a kite. It is made to withstand strong winds and has a sturdy frame. It has a sailplane-like shape, and its four propellers are only used during takeoff and landing. Once in the air, the kite maintains its altitude by smoothly gliding on air currents. The kite is made to fly effortlessly and fast while exerting a lot of tractive force on the cord.
2. the rope
A tether anchors the kite to the surface of the earth. This tether transfers the kite’s pull force to the generator at the ground station. It is constructed from braided polyethylene fibers chosen for their exceptional endurance properties. These, in turn, offer the tether’s most minor diameter, which is crucial for obtaining energy from kite turbines. The tether’s material is resilient and can withstand exposure to a variety of environmental factors, including dampness and ultraviolet light.
The base station 3.
The tether’s tractive force is transformed into electricity at the ground station. The power grid then receives this electricity. The generator is coupled to a winch in the ground station, which reels the kite in and out. The ground station also houses the control system, which ensures the effectiveness and safety of every flight. As it manages the kite and the winch, it assures optimal energy generation. The control system uses data from sensors mounted on the aircraft to direct and balance the vehicle. The Kitemill solution’s autonomous functioning and ensuing energy production are made possible by the control system.
How effective is this strategy?
According to the company, their system can generate an average power of 5.5 kW for continuous cycles, which translates to more than an hour of operation.
not matured enough just yet
The airborne wind is still in its infancy, and if it wants to advance, it will need to clear a lot of obstacles, such as demonstrating that it is reliable and safe and does not produce any noise pollution. No kite business has yet achieved produce energy at the megawatt levels necessary to compete with other renewable energy sources. It doesn’t follow that they won’t, though. the technology is founded on reliable scientific theories and has a bright future. Could kites soon be the source of all our energy?