“Kitesurfing and the environment: how kitesurfing can contribute to the production of clean energy”
06.09.2023
Kitesurfing is a wonderful and adrenaline-filled sport that allows us to experience exciting adventures in connection with nature and the sea but it is not just fun: it could also be a source of clean and economical energy.
As?
Thanks to an innovative technology called KiteGen,KiteGen
which is inspired by the principle of kitesurfing to produce high-altitude wind energy.
The idea is simple: instead of using classic wind turbines, large kites are used controlled by an automatic system that makes them fly at an altitude of 800-1000 meters, where the wind is stronger and more constant. The kites are connected to electrical generators on the ground via flexible cables. As the kites move, the wires coil and unwind, turning the generators and producing electricity.
The advantages of this technology are many: the environmental and landscape impact is reduced compared to traditional wind turbines, power and energy efficiency are increased, installation and maintenance costs are lowered, a renewable and available energy source is exploited everywhere.
The KiteGen project is entirely Italian and was created by engineer Massimo Ippolito.
Currently, the project is in the development and testing phase, but has already received several awards and appreciation at national and international level
But let's analyze why kitesurfing as renewable energy has some advantages compared to other sources:
* Kitesurfing uses the wind, which is a clean, inexhaustible source of energy available everywhere. Unlike other renewable sources, such as solar or hydroelectric, wind does not depend on climatic conditions or the availability of water.
* Kitesurfing uses large kites controlled by an automatic system that flies them at a high altitude, where the wind is stronger and more constant. This allows for an increase in power and energy efficiency compared to classic wind turbines, which are limited by air resistance and wind turbulence near the ground.
* Kitesurfing reduces the environmental and landscape impact compared to traditional wind turbines, which take up a lot of space and can create problems with noise, shadows and interference with wildlife. Kites are less visible and can be installed in remote areas or in the open sea, without altering the ecosystem.
* Kitesurfing lowers installation and maintenance costs compared to traditional wind turbines, which require complex structures, solid foundations and electrical connections. Kites are lighter, flexible and easier to transport and repair.
This is a promising solution for producing high-altitude wind energy cleanly and economically