681
'Windmill': China tests world’s first megawatt-level airship to capture high winds (interestingengineering.com)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
172 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

"High-altitude winds between 1,640 and 3,281 feet (500 and 10,000 meters) above the ground are stronger and steadier than surface winds. These winds are abundant, widely available, and carbon-free.

"The physics of wind power makes this resource extremely valuable. “When wind speed doubles, the energy it carries increases eightfold, triple the speed, and you have 27 times the energy,” explained Gong Zeqi "

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 14 points 1 year ago (7 children)

I'd be more interested about the cable that is going to bring all that power to the ground level. With traditional tech that would weigh a shit-ton. Light weight generator would be easy peasy compared to that.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 7 child comments
    •
  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago

    Maybe over estimate temperature deratings and maybe add a new wind speed thermal pulling capacity. But more likely forgo European and NA electrical standards entirely and submit questionables value for CE approval.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    Maybe there's energy intensive processes that they could do up there instead. Something like Haber Bosch. Then bring the products down.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
    •