Kitegen Testing 3 Megawatt System

This is certainly a different protocol for power production.  I will beg of commenting on it until they operate a prototype for a year or so.  It is complex enough to make me nervous.  At least they are attempting to make the idea work.

I do find it difficult to believe that it can be operated successfully for any length of time.  we will hopefully see soon enough

Kitegen testing 3 Megawatt system and has plans for 50 more units

MAY 23, 2011

http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/05/kitegen-testing-3-megawatt-system-and.html

The first preproduction sample of Kitegen (3 Megawatt prototype), is nearing completion in an area used to dump the City of Sommariva Perno and will come into operation soon. Once fully operational the plant will work for 6000 hours per year and will be able to meet the electricity demand of about 30,000 households. Kitegen already has plans to build 50 machines in series, with orders coming from various parts of the world.

Kite Gen Research 3 megawatt prototype of a wind-kite operates at an altitude of 10,000 meters. Nine Kitegen generators would produce 27 megawatts of peak power. 

Wikipedia on Kitegen.

There are two wind flow bands that envelope the Earth globe. One passes over the southern hemisphere at the latitude of Patagonia, while the other passes over the northern hemisphere, over Europe. The flow height ranges from 800 meters up to 10,000 meters of altitude, while the width is 4,000 or 5,000 km. The average power of the wind is about 2 kW per square meter.

High altitude wind is much more powerful and constant when compared to that at earth level, which is intense in very few places, and at full speed for only about 1,700-1,800 hours per year, which limits the annual production of energy.

The wind which is planned to be used is around 800 meters height with average speeds of 7 m/s and specific power of 200 W/m2. For example, a section of wind width of 1,000 meters at an altitude between 600 and 1,000 meters has a power equal to 400*1000*200 = 80 MW.

The prototype in the Province of Asti which works with 9 generators and up to 10,000m generates a peak power of 27 MW. A park of Kitegens with100 MW peak power should produce 500 GWh/year; enough for 86,000 households.

The Kitegen can generate about 6000 hours / year.

Links at Kitegen to various european (german, italian, french language documentaries and interviews)