Today the Wind Energy has the prospective to power the world 100 times over, but only 4% of the world’s electricity today comes from wind. Unlocking wind resource is the greatest step towards powering the world. This is because wind energy is accessible everywhere and is the cost-effective technology. With innovations and technology changing the way we contemplate on renewable resources. The Wind Kites or Energy Kites are the latest addition to a design which can access clean energy at an affordable price.
Wind Kites Operates Elegantly To Generate Power
The wind kites operation is very simple and uniquely designed to generate more power. The Wind Kite rest themselves on a ground station. The kite climbs themselves to an anticipated altitude and positions them through downwind. Initially, the rotors in the Wind Kites consume small energy for the required thrust. Later the Wind Kites follow the aerodynamic process of making the wing to fly autonomously for generating maximum power. The strong wind propels the kite making the rotor rotate which in turn makes the generators to produce electricity which is transferred back to the ground.
As reported in Makani website, the Makani’s airborne wind energy technology integrates advances in aerospace engineering, materials science, and autonomous controls with the following 2 features –
• 8 rotors are spun by the wind in crosswind flight. Each drives a permanent magnet motor/generator that generates electricity on-board.
• Direct-drive generator units of high power density are supported by the strength and aerodynamic leverage of the 26m carbon fibre wing.
After of serious of experiments and trials, in December 2016, Makani first generated electricity in crosswind flight with the M600, an energy kite designed to produce up to 600 kilowatts ― enough to power about 300 homes.
Image & Content Source: Makani