This is another reason to use kevlar, however one also needs to
take into consideration that the power wires need to be added to
the weight of the cable . . .
We have confused two different devices in this discussion. The power cable would be needed with the Skywindpower kites, which remain high in the sky. The Laddermill devices would transmit power mechanically by turning a large wheel. It would have to be extremely large I suppose, perhaps a kilometer in diameter (maybe 10 km?), so that the Kevlar tether could exert enough leverage to drive a 100 MW wheel without breaking. The people making the plans claim that these kites will be perfectly safe if they fall. They will drift down out of the sky. Perhaps these people people have overlooked the effect of a 2 inch steel cable falling out of the sky, or several tons of Kevlar.
The whole scheme is as improbable as Superman comic book.
- Jed
