🎬 Multilingual subtitles
✍️ By: Team BC1.NL
Kite Power grew out of Wubbo Ockels' ladder mill
Kite Power is a form of wind energy in which electricity is generated using a radio-controlled kite. This form emerged after further developing the ladder mill, which was originally invented by Wubbo Ockels.
How does a kite generate electricity?
As the kite ascends, the rope unwinds from a drum and makes it rotate. The kite's pull drives that drum, which is connected to a dynamo that generates electricity. At a certain height an autopilot lets the kite fly back down like a glider, without pulling, so the rope can be reeled in. That is how you pump wind energy to the ground.
How is the kite controlled?
The cable is fastened to a ground station with a winch system that controls the force on the line. When there is strong wind up there, the cable is pulled out to keep the forces from becoming too great. The kite is reeled in to a height of about 300 metres. Some ten to fifteen metres below the kite hangs a control pod with a motor, with a line to the left and to the right end; by pulling those cables the kite is steered.
What is it useful for?
The system delivers 20 kilowatts, which is relatively small, but wind turbines started small as well. Even now it is interesting for developing countries in Africa, for rock and music festivals, where a kite is a fine sight as well, and for islands with few inhabitants and modest power use.
The Delft kite needs only one cable
With a team from Delft University of Technology, Wubbo Ockels further developed this idea and designed a well-functioning system.
The kite is unique because it only requires one cable between the kite and the ground station, thanks to a control unit located just below the kite. This makes the system lightweight and allows the kite to be launched to great heights. It utilizes strong and stable winds at high altitudes.
