Comments on: Google Blows $5M More Into Makani’s High Altitude Wind http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/25/google-blows-5m-more-into-makanis-high-altitude-wind/ Helping the Earth with Technology Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:18:21 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Joe Faust http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/25/google-blows-5m-more-into-makanis-high-altitude-wind/#comment-35019 Joe Faust Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:04:02 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=6957#comment-35019 <p>Mr. Macnaghten, Many are exploring scores of airborne wind energy (AWE) options. Questions are being faced. Proving systems are increasing. High and low altitude solutions are showing promise. We are gathering in a forum and evolving web for open-source energy kite systems and support closed-source operations. EnergyKiteSystems.net Your analysis style is invited to the same. Lift, Joe</p> Mr. Macnaghten,
Many are exploring scores of airborne wind energy (AWE) options. Questions are being faced. Proving systems are increasing. High and low altitude solutions are showing promise. We are gathering in a forum and evolving web for open-source energy kite systems and support closed-source operations.
EnergyKiteSystems.net Your analysis style is invited to the same.
Lift,
Joe

]]> By: James Macnaghten http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/25/google-blows-5m-more-into-makanis-high-altitude-wind/#comment-31516 James Macnaghten Fri, 22 May 2009 10:54:46 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=6957#comment-31516 <p>Because Google have invested this whole system seems to have avoided proper technical due diligence. I am a great fan of innovation, but what is proposed seems to have some fairly basic flaws. What I do not understand is why no one is asking them proper questions.</p> <p>For example to generate lift you have to create drag and the last time i looked 30,000 ft of any cable (and conductor to get the power out) weighs quite a bit. Just to lift the cable before you have extracted any energy means creates drag and that means your nice kite is no longer flying vertically, but at say 45 degrees to the ground.</p> <p>The company want their kites to be in the jetstream, so suddenly they need the cable to be 1.5 times longer, which means you have even more weight to keep flying. Of course as soon as you extract energy from the wind you are slowing down the wind and this creates extra drag over the bit that keeps you aloft. Lets be optimistic and say that the kite is now flying at an angle of 30 degrees to the ground at this point. If they want to stay in the jetstream their cable is now 90,000 ft (???) long. In reality most of would be on the ground.</p> Because Google have invested this whole system seems to have avoided proper technical due diligence. I am a great fan of innovation, but what is proposed seems to have some fairly basic flaws. What I do not understand is why no one is asking them proper questions.

For example to generate lift you have to create drag and the last time i looked 30,000 ft of any cable (and conductor to get the power out) weighs quite a bit. Just to lift the cable before you have extracted any energy means creates drag and that means your nice kite is no longer flying vertically, but at say 45 degrees to the ground.

The company want their kites to be in the jetstream, so suddenly they need the cable to be 1.5 times longer, which means you have even more weight to keep flying. Of course as soon as you extract energy from the wind you are slowing down the wind and this creates extra drag over the bit that keeps you aloft. Lets be optimistic and say that the kite is now flying at an angle of 30 degrees to the ground at this point. If they want to stay in the jetstream their cable is now 90,000 ft (???) long. In reality most of would be on the ground.

]]> By: Saul Griffith: Kites as the future of renewable energy | Video on TED.comGriffith « K21st - Essential 21st Century Knowledge http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/25/google-blows-5m-more-into-makanis-high-altitude-wind/#comment-28191 Saul Griffith: Kites as the future of renewable energy | Video on TED.comGriffith « K21st - Essential 21st Century Knowledge Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:03:00 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=6957#comment-28191 <p>[...] See also this:  Google Blows $5M More Into Makani’s High Altitude Wind [...]</p> [...] See also this:  Google Blows $5M More Into Makani’s High Altitude Wind [...]

]]> By: 25 Most Promising Green Businesses | Business Pundit http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/25/google-blows-5m-more-into-makanis-high-altitude-wind/#comment-24953 25 Most Promising Green Businesses | Business Pundit Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:00:39 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=6957#comment-24953 <p>[...] Makani Power, still in stealth mode, uses patented “membrane structures” to harness high-altitude wind power. Think of its product as a gigantic, eco-functional kite. The kite gets launched several miles into the air and captures high-altitude winds, which are more dependable than winds closer to the ground. Not surprisingly, the company is staffed by a fair number of kitesurfers. Google has invested $11 million into Makani. [...]</p> [...] Makani Power, still in stealth mode, uses patented “membrane structures” to harness high-altitude wind power. Think of its product as a gigantic, eco-functional kite. The kite gets launched several miles into the air and captures high-altitude winds, which are more dependable than winds closer to the ground. Not surprisingly, the company is staffed by a fair number of kitesurfers. Google has invested $11 million into Makani. [...]

]]> By: 25 Most Promising Green Businesses | Green http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/25/google-blows-5m-more-into-makanis-high-altitude-wind/#comment-24359 25 Most Promising Green Businesses | Green Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:04:26 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=6957#comment-24359 <p>[...] Makani Power, still in stealth mode, uses patented “membrane structures” to harness high-altitude wind power. Think of its product as a gigantic, eco-functional kite. The kite gets launched several miles into the air and captures high-altitude winds, which are more dependable than winds closer to the ground. Not surprisingly, the company is staffed by a fair number of kitesurfers. Google has invested $11 million into Makani. [...]</p> [...] Makani Power, still in stealth mode, uses patented “membrane structures” to harness high-altitude wind power. Think of its product as a gigantic, eco-functional kite. The kite gets launched several miles into the air and captures high-altitude winds, which are more dependable than winds closer to the ground. Not surprisingly, the company is staffed by a fair number of kitesurfers. Google has invested $11 million into Makani. [...]

]]> By: Google is the #2 Cleantech Investor in the Third Quarter « Earth2Tech http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/25/google-blows-5m-more-into-makanis-high-altitude-wind/#comment-18010 Google is the #2 Cleantech Investor in the Third Quarter « Earth2Tech Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:23:39 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=6957#comment-18010 <p>[...] startup Actacell, geothermal company AltaRock Energy, electric vehicle makers Aptera Motors, high-altitude wind developer Makani Power, and geothermal company Potter Drilling. Google had more deals than well-known cleantech investors [...]</p> [...] startup Actacell, geothermal company AltaRock Energy, electric vehicle makers Aptera Motors, high-altitude wind developer Makani Power, and geothermal company Potter Drilling. Google had more deals than well-known cleantech investors [...]

]]> By: Google is the #2 Cleantech Investor in the Third Quarter http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/25/google-blows-5m-more-into-makanis-high-altitude-wind/#comment-18000 Google is the #2 Cleantech Investor in the Third Quarter Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:49:09 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=6957#comment-18000 <p>[...] startup Actacell, geothermal company AltaRock Energy, electric vehicle makers Aptera Motors, high-altitude wind developer Makani Power, and geothermal company Potter Drilling. Google had more deals than well-known cleantech investors [...]</p> [...] startup Actacell, geothermal company AltaRock Energy, electric vehicle makers Aptera Motors, high-altitude wind developer Makani Power, and geothermal company Potter Drilling. Google had more deals than well-known cleantech investors [...]

]]> By: Greentech Media: Cleantech Investing » Blog Archive » The return of solar mega-deals http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/25/google-blows-5m-more-into-makanis-high-altitude-wind/#comment-16459 Greentech Media: Cleantech Investing » Blog Archive » The return of solar mega-deals Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:27:49 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=6957#comment-16459 <p>[...] Week Wire reported that Google has put $5mm into kite-power startup Makani, as part of an ongoing Series [...]</p> [...] Week Wire reported that Google has put $5mm into kite-power startup Makani, as part of an ongoing Series [...]

]]> By: Green Business Roundup: States sue EPA http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/25/google-blows-5m-more-into-makanis-high-altitude-wind/#comment-16256 Green Business Roundup: States sue EPA Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:42:42 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=6957#comment-16256 <p>[...] Earth2Tech reports wind startup Makani Power has pulled in $20 million, including $5 million from Google’s philanthropic arm, Google.org. Makani has been stealthy, but appears to be working on a system for tapping airflow high in the atmosphere. [...]</p> [...] Earth2Tech reports wind startup Makani Power has pulled in $20 million, including $5 million from Google’s philanthropic arm, Google.org. Makani has been stealthy, but appears to be working on a system for tapping airflow high in the atmosphere. [...]

]]> By: sachin http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/25/google-blows-5m-more-into-makanis-high-altitude-wind/#comment-16207 sachin Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:43:36 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=6957#comment-16207 <p>$ 5million ??????????</p> $ 5million ??????????

]]>