Wind powering boats? Sounds like science fiction.
Less productive uses are more practical.
6800 hp kite for surfing freighters
Comments ... #
Here it is:
More on kite power.
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/10/71908
You'd think more people would (re)discover sailing. It's cheaper, conducive to alcoholism and fishing, and requires some smahts and minimal athletic prowess. 7 skippers and no help.
Even docked they're a nice alternative to waterfront property. All the fun, none of the taxes and eventual tsunamis.
For all you're political wrangling about mortgage costs and all that is bad in this world, it may be a good idea to leave the energy and propulsion system to the engineers.
You're ideas all sound fun, but lack actual engineering or practical background.
"Not everyone is sold on the kites however. In an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution today, John Barnes, editor of Marine Engineers Review, a marine engineering magazine in London, said the jury's still out on kite propulsion systems. "This could work, but there is an extra cost entailed, and it won't make much sense if the price of fuel falls back," he said. "It seems to be a practical approach, but we still need to see what the benefits and penalties will be."One hurdle is the costs associated with the hiring of crews to actually tend the kites. Another: drawback: The system obviously won't work in a head wind, the article stated."
posted by 4silverrings on Mar 04, 2008 at 01:36:00 am #
This is very cool. A smaller one is already in use , I think on the Med.
posted by prime3end on Jan 21, 2008 at 02:13:52 pm #