Quote :

"The world's first commercial cargo ship partially powered by a giant kite is setting sail from Germany to Venezuela. The designers of the MS Beluga Skysails say the computer-controlled kite, measuring 160 sq m could cut fuel consumption by as much as 20%. They also hope the state-of-the-art kite will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as it tugs the ship. Fuel burnt by ships accounts for 4% of global CO2 emissions - twice as much as the aviation industry produces."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7201887.stm

[Edited on January 23, 2008 at 12:30 PM. Reason : &]

1/23/2008 12:29:55 PM

i find your ideas interesting, sign me up for your newsletter

1/23/2008 12:31:19 PM

thats pretty cool

figure conditions have be within certain parameters to use it though

1/23/2008 12:36:10 PM

1/23/2008 12:36:43 PM

I think this is cool, and it's the right place where we need to be focusing our wind power development. Wind power can occasionally help a system run, but only augmented to traditional fuels, unless you want to return to the 1600s. A direct use like this is simple, typically a good characteristic of new technologies.

wish them luck with this.

1/23/2008 12:41:55 PM

nice

1/23/2008 1:31:18 PM

I thought of this already. Dammit!

1/23/2008 1:32:13 PM

this is bullshit

you can't look baller in your yacht if you have a giant ass kite floating off the back

1/23/2008 1:33:54 PM

^ That can easily be offset by a 5" deck gun.

1/23/2008 1:57:26 PM

^ or a CIWS

1/23/2008 1:58:42 PM

Yes, a Phalanx would do it.

1/23/2008 5:34:32 PM

I want an old school 3 mast gigantic sailing ship.

like hte big ones you see in the pirate movies.

that would be pimpin

1/23/2008 5:38:06 PM

just beat the germans in a war and take theirs

1/23/2008 5:44:41 PM

i shake my head at this entire thread

1/23/2008 5:45:45 PM

like that^

1/23/2008 6:01:04 PM

this is worse than planes on a treadmill

1/23/2008 6:05:15 PM

seriously, I want a boat like that.
that would be baller, and I would so fly an old school pirate flag from it.

1/23/2008 6:08:08 PM

ahaha

Quote :

"Slave Famous All American 2527 Posts user info edit post this is bullshit you can't look baller in your yacht if you have a giant ass kite floating off the back 1/23/2008 1:33:54 PM darkone All American 5648 Posts user info edit post ^ That can easily be offset by a 5" deck gun. "

1/23/2008 6:08:55 PM

1/23/2008 6:10:10 PM

Question:

at what speed do these boats travel at?
What's the maximum normal wind speed?

1/23/2008 6:14:41 PM

Quote :

"Question: at what speed do these boats travel at? What's the maximum normal wind speed?"

I don't know about the boats, but at the altitudes they are planning to use those kites you regularly see winds of 20+ kts and 40+ kts isn't unusual.

1/23/2008 6:23:43 PM