On Thu, Jun 3, 2010 at 9:08 PM, Eugene Coyle <[email protected]> wrote: > Gar, > Yes I was offering Makani power as an alternative to the flying > helicopter tethered at 33,000 feet. That's a long string, and frankly it > seems farcical.
Not really that hard to achieve. Kevlar cable surrounding and supporting aluminum transmission was possible decades ago. I suspect modern materials can do better, though the comparatively low cost compared to more advanced materials may be worth the 20% power loss in transmission to the ground. Well maybe as low as 10,000. But either way modern materials can handle it. > > Gene > > > On Jun 3, 2010, at 7:11 PM, Gar Lipow wrote: > >> On Thu, Jun 3, 2010 at 5:04 PM, Eugene Coyle <[email protected]> wrote: >>> Gar, >>> What seems like a more practical variation of this technology is >>> described in The New Yorker of May 17, 2010. >> >> >> I searched the New Yorker to see what was described in that issue. OK >> you are talking about Makani power, one type of kite or flying wing. >> The best description I know of this offhand is from Saul Griffith's >> TED talk >> http://locavolt.com/energy/power-generation/wind/kite-generators/74/makani-power-high-altitude-power-kites,' >> >> Several problems with this >> >> 1) He only expects to get up to 2,000 feet. Less power. So unless his >> costs are substantially less than with the "tethered helicopters" you >> will end up with higher costs per kWh. >> >> 2) less mature tech. Still developing the steering mechanism. Being >> unpowered, the kite/flying wing is tricky to steer. With tethered >> helicopters we know how to steer the damn thing. (Yes, even staying >> in place takes some steering. And the "kite" idea is based on not >> really staying in placing but constantly circleing or swooping. >> >> On the other hand, maybe you meant the Pedicab from the same issue. >> Which I have to admit is a far more mature technology than either kind >> of flying energy generator. >> _______________________________________________ >> pen-l mailing list >> [email protected] >> https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l > > _______________________________________________ > pen-l mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l > _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
