Kite Surfing Kites The Next Big Thing in Renewable Energy?
By Steve Casimiro on November 9th, 2012
The same gear that boosts kitesurfers ridiculously high may soon be used as a less pricey, more versatile, and way cooler method of harnessing wind energy than traditional turbines. A German-based company is sussing out the feasibility of converting a kite’s kinetic energy into electricity via a generator. The idea is that remote-controlled kites capable of climbing up to 1,600 feet — an altitude with consistently strong gusts — would make it possible to poach a charge even at locations that aren’t particularly windy at ground level. Engineers say the kites have the potential to harvest eight times more power than wind turbines. So far, they’ve tested a kite at 1,300 feet; the next step is to experiment with computer-automated kite control. Via Mother Nature Network.
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