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
[–] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Fair, but please name one single way to generate that kind of electrical power that can be fixed by a layperson in case something crashes.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (1 child)

    At least the Chinese version doesn't rely on as many moving parts to keep it aloft. And a complicated mechanical system to produce a flight path. The blimp itself is complicated, but it's not a kite.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago

    In the end the TCO (per kWh) will play a major role, especially for big installations and for smaller ones the price floor.
    I suppose a helium filled blimp with 12 turbines will be more pricey than a kite with a generator. If the kite fills your need, pick that.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent