The idea of generating power from kites is something that is not new at all. Since the 1970s we have been trying to figure out how to use kites for this very purpose. The only problem back then was that the materials available for making the kite as well as the tethers that keep the kites in position was not as advanced as it is these days.
A company called Kite Power Solutions, has been working on a way to generate wind energy from kites. Their system is based on two kites that pull a wrench as the wind pushes them away from the fixed generator station. Whilst one kite is generating energy the other one is being pulled in, so that they work in tandem and there is always some power being pumped out by the system.
Their ultimate goal is to transfer this technology offshore. However, this depends on them being able to develop a larger system that is self reliant. They have figured out that the base station would not be affected by any of the different waves, including a tsunami. They just have to design a kite that is able to operate in any condition including wind speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour. Current prototypes generate up to 40 kW, which is enough to power up to 15 houses.
You can watch the video below on the kite wind power system…
You can watch the video below on Kite Wind Power On BBC…
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