THE BASICS OF KITE WIND PROPULSION
The idea of using kites to reduce the amount of fossil fuels needed to haul freight by water is not unknown. After all, sails were used for centuries for this purpose. More recently, the idea of adapting the sail concept to focus on kites began to receive attention in Germany.
Given the fact that wind currents are stronger well above the water level, a kite would provide more propulsion. Like a sail, it is possible to reverse the direction of the kite in order to steer the ship in any direction desired. One school of thought is that this earth-bound idea of using kites for propulsion is inspired by astronomer Carl Sagan. During a television appearance in 1976, Sagan proposed the idea of using a solar sail to propel spacecraft.
The sail would rely on radiation and particles emanating from the sun to function as wind in the vacuum of space. Just as wind currents are stronger at higher altitudes, Sagan’s idea was based on the understanding that solar sails would generate enough propulsion to allow explorers to travel further into the solar system.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SHIPPERS?
Creating and attaching kites to existing cargo ships would mean a significant investment up front. It also means quite a bit of savings over the course of a year. The kites are simply more efficient than other means of harnessing wind energy.
“It’s much more powerful than a traditional sail, and it’s also more powerful than a traditional wind turbine,” said Stephan Wrage, CEO and Co-founder of SkySail.
The installation of the kite would cut the costs of each kilowatt hour of energy used in propulsion in half, based on the average cost per kilowatt hour of using a conventional engine alone.
THE ADVANTAGE OVER SAILS.
While sails are a viable approach to using wind energy for transport purposes, the kite approach does provide greater advantages. According to research conducted in Germany, a kite that is flying around 300-500 meters (984-1640 ft) above the earth is able to produce double the energy of a sail that is found closer to the earth’s surface.
The benefit is not just in terms of increased energy. Wind at that height is also more constant than at heights closer to the surface. In terms of consistency, this means shippers can rely on a steady supply of energy from the start to the finish of the voyage.
REDUCING ENERGY COSTS.
The ability to minimize the costs of shipping goods offers an attractive benefit for shipping company executives. After all, lower operational costs in any sector means greater net income. More profits keep investors happy and aids in the financial stability of the business. For those who would like to keep their jobs over the long term, anything that improves the bottom line is a good thing.
IMPROVED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.
Another factor to consider is customer satisfaction. What client does not want a guarantee that goods will arrive on time or maybe even a little ahead of schedule? With the aid of kite wind propulsion, staying on schedule could be easier to manage. Shippers who consistently meet delivery dates keep their clients, another factor that helps to ensure the financial well being of the company.
