“Google-funded startup Makani has already proven that kites have value as an energy source. Now the GE-chartered Beluga SkySails cargo vessel has shown that kites—yes, those lightweight things you fly from strings—can act as propulsion systems on ships. The vessel, chartered by GE’s Project Logistics team to carry power-generating equipment, boasts the first towing kite propulsion system for a commercial shipping vessel. The parasail-like kite attaches to the ship’s bow and pulls it through the water. The SkySails system can carry a load of eight to 16 tons—a number that is expected to increase to 32 tons by 2012 as the technology matures.” via mikehudack:hilker:hippieflavor:Fast Company === Is the kite pulling the ship or is the ship flying the kite?

“Google-funded startup Makani has already proven that kites have value as an energy source. Now the GE-chartered Beluga SkySails cargo vessel has shown that kites—yes, those lightweight things you fly from strings—can act as propulsion systems on ships.

The vessel, chartered by GE’s Project Logistics team to carry power-generating equipment, boasts the first towing kite propulsion system for a commercial shipping vessel. The parasail-like kite attaches to the ship’s bow and pulls it through the water. The SkySails system can carry a load of eight to 16 tons—a number that is expected to increase to 32 tons by 2012 as the technology matures.”

via mikehudack:hilker:hippieflavor:Fast Company

===

Is the kite pulling the ship or is the ship flying the kite?

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  1. davidcustiskimball reblogged this from electricpower and added:
    Science, Technology, Environment Well, I’d like to use this in my intro to my ‘Kiteflyers’ Philosophy’ that book that...
  2. brooklyner reblogged this from smarterplanet
  3. davidgalestudios reblogged this from smarterplanet
  4. chaoticplanet reblogged this from techspotlight and added:
    Ah they must have watched that ‘amazing’ movie Waterworld!
  5. electricpower reblogged this from techspotlight
  6. iliveinateenagedream reblogged this from techspotlight
  7. techspotlight reblogged this from smarterplanet
  8. smarterplanet reblogged this from weliveinthefuture
  9. vectorvector reblogged this from weliveinthefuture and added:
    Who knew ships could use wind power? I imagine if...these you could go really fast. I’ve...
  10. jbrandt01 reblogged this from weliveinthefuture
  11. emiskil reblogged this from weliveinthefuture
  12. sebee reblogged this from weliveinthefuture
  13. instantlynoodles reblogged this from weliveinthefuture and added:
    philosophy question if I ever see one:
  14. changingclimate reblogged this from weliveinthefuture
  15. madpoop reblogged this from weliveinthefuture
  16. thsmknmnstr reblogged this from weliveinthefuture
  17. twelvefootmountaintroll reblogged this from weliveinthefuture
  18. dvint1 reblogged this from weliveinthefuture
  19. rebeccalando reblogged this from evangotlib and added:
    In my head, the crew of the ship spends all day singing and dancing to this.
  20. rickwebb reblogged this from evangotlib and added:
    In addition to the recently announced Bloom Box, and this here muthaf**n KITES THAT PULL SUPER TANKERS (which is GE, but...
  21. the-stig reblogged this from weliveinthefuture and added:
    For some reason, this seems like...me. And other than
  22. matthewhayles reblogged this from weliveinthefuture and added:
    I was just thinking about this yesterday,...then bam, right in my tumblrfeed. With
  23. bethinkr reblogged this from hilker