This Kite Can Move a Cargo Ship Without a Fuel

Discover the extraordinary potential of wind kites in revolutionizing maritime travel and energy production. While commonly viewed as playthings, wind kites are redefining their role as key players in sustainability and transportation. These kites hold the incredible power to move colossal cargo ships, weighing up to 165,000 tons, by harnessing the might of high winds.
Traditionally, cargo ships rely on bunker fuel, a cost-effective but ecologically harmful option. Emitting toxic pollutants equivalent to millions of cars in a single day, these vessels have long posed environmental challenges. Enter the Seawing, a 5,400-square-foot kite system mounted on a multimillion-dollar cargo ship. This innovative French creation significantly reduces fuel consumption by up to 20% and curbs pollution. Operating seamlessly, the kite deploys when the ship enters international waters, taking advantage of optimal wind altitudes and patterns, effectively towing the vessel.

Moreover, wind power extends beyond ship propulsion. The Airborne Wind Energy System, with its kite-on-tether configuration, generates energy akin to wind turbines but with fewer resources. The kite dynamically ascends to higher altitudes, optimizing power production. Its efficient generator channels surplus energy to the grid. This inventive application of wind energy holds promise not only for cleaner maritime travel but also for broader sustainable energy solutions.

In a world demanding eco-conscious innovation, these kites are emblematic of a future where nature's forces steer us toward greener horizons.

[woodennickel]

glad to see the modern shipping industry is catching up tech that was invented in 3500 BC 😂

[RANDOMh]

I'm a kite surfer..
The force of the wind is enormous 😊

[marvinmartian]

Revolutionary technology. Using wind to move boats who would have thought.

[nathangibson]

What if I told you about sail boats....

[enginbarbaroscobanoglu]

If fuel oil was for free, they would laugh at your face if you told the shipowners that you had such an idea. They don’t think environment. They never did. They always think of costs. Money made them blind as hell

[mathqueen]

*Pirates of the Caibbean song, intensifies*

[josephmckenzie]

Keep developing this technology, and we will be back to the age of sail.

[herambpatkar]

Birds be like: I don't like this dumb fooking idea, Mate!

[acmelka]

Every few years this comes up. The last guys pushing this wound up spending a lot of people's money for almost no result. The idea is probably sound, the skill and manpower to use it may be the issue. The idea isn't new.

[Skidderoperator]

Lets illuminate our homes with whale oil too!

[dellawrence]

Why don't they try fixing the kites to big poles sticking out of the deck, then the kites won't go awry, a novel idea I know, but we should give it a try, I suggest we call them "sails".

[satishkanuri]

This would be the green generating power... this should be the feature... wow great engineering 😊😊😊

[fikipilot]

Kites to replace wind turbines!! I love it. Let's do this humans

[josephblansjaar]

How is the force on the tether cable turned into energy? The blog doesn’t touch this bit of the engineering ?

[iareid]

The merchant marine abandoned wind power a long time ago as it is so unreliable. Looks and sounds good but ultimately just as reliable. We still use a phrase today 'in the doldrums' which refers to ships without motion as the wind was not strong enough for a long period.

[boydjohnson]

Thanks for leaving out the most important part: How does the kite generate power ?

[odysseusmaximus]

would 2 or 3 more sail like that replace the engine entirely?

[elchaposexcitingadventures]

Angry man: Why don’t you just go and fly a kite!
Wise man: Okay!

[mike]

WROGN= it saves from 3 to 5% on Fuel, but still interesting... if it saves 33% at it says, Navys would put it right away.-

[robertwright]

So we are returning to the clipper ships for cargo Huh?