Kitegen - odd concept?

[Fletch]

http://www.kitegen.com/stem/

what is odd about this?

what do you think, is it a or a or a

[Chris]

Whoa. That's interesting.

The question is whether the ratio of maintenance and operation costs to energy production is better than you get from other wind-driven energy. Since turbines are so bloody massive and costly, it might be more efficient.
But the two things that stand out to me are: how effective, really, is the side-slip method? The entire concept hinges on using very little energy to reel it back in.
The other thing is, I doubt it will perform well, or at all, in the rain or snow. Turbines, as far as I know, can certainly operate in the rain (don't know if there are ice issues with snow).

But if it's cheap and easy to construct and maintain, then that gives it a big advantage over existing generators.

[Fletch]

there are large wind farms in the Rockies (near Livingston, MT, for instance, where there are strong winds nearly every day of the year) so I presume they can handle snow. but actually Livingston is on the leeward side of the mountain, gets all the wind and little precipitation in comparison to the Bozeman side of the same mountain range...

but this kite flying operation looks a lot MORE costly to build than a "simple" turbine... at least from what's shown in the video.

[notareal]

Beware of messed wires was my first thought on "side slip". Interesting concept if it works. Hazard to low flying aircrafts!

[Chris]

but this kite flying operation looks a lot MORE costly to build than a "simple" turbine... at least from what's shown in the video.

A couple of times I've seen a blade for a turbine driving down the road. Those things are Enormous. I imagine the startup costs for them are pretty high.

[Mike1158]

I do believe you would get a, more efficiency and b, more actual generating time from a turkish windmill. These things date back aeons and are still the most effective form of windmill. Much more controlabale and less prone to the effects of winds with force of more than the design tolerance.

Kites will only be usable in certain wind conditions. How many days per year?

[Ecuadorian]

A wise man said: "It doesn't matter whether the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice."

I'll just wait and see if this actually works.

[Fletch]

http://www.jndstravelog.com/Europe/Gree ... ndmill.jpg
I'm looking for an image... is this a good one of what you are thinking?
There are a couple others here.

of course, I always end back at TEDsomehow.

still can't help but think Tesla had something much better in mind...

[Ecuadorian]

Anyone feels inspired to animate a windmill with Twilight and SketchyPhysics?

[Fletch]

I would like to create a sketchy physics worm drive... nothing like starting easy