Kite documentary needs your help!

chasewhh · Since 04 Feb 2013 1 Posts New Member

Did you know that traction kites are now being used to generate electricity? Here's a quick video I made about the process some of it filmed at the Gorge and the washington coast:

Link

If you're interested in the documentary we are currently raising funds through a kickstarter project found here: http://www.awedocumentary.org

Please help contribute to this important project and help me spread the word.

Also I'd love to interview kiteboarders when I head up the west coast for production. If you are interested email me at chasewhh@gmail.com. Thanks for your support.

Sincerely,
Chase Honaker

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

Any info on how much power these generate? How many kilowatt hours on a single windy day(24 hrs)with one kite?

Pepi · Tue Feb 05, 13 12:33 am

Chase :

Just out of curiosity, do you work for/with Makani?

One of our former local kiter/windsurfers, Corwin Hardham, used to be one of the main pioneers in this field.

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

I have a friend, Rob Crieghton, CEO of Windlift Kite engine company based in Raleigh, N.C. He is a kiteboarder working on this same idea for the U.S. military to generate power in coastal areas and deserts. He is on LinkedIn. I think he would be okay with giving you some information on that.

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

I could see the portability concept being really nice. Assuming the military is okay with waiving a giant white flag around in the sky wherever they go Wink

As far as using kites instead of windmills. I see the maintenance schedule on a kite being far more rigorous then a wind mill and I know windmills don't exactly have bragging rights in the reliability department right now. I just see all that cloth and line exposed to constant UV, wind, rain and occasionally lightning. I can't imagine that would last for very long under continuous operation.

There is also the consideration. Kooks can't seem to fly a kite when they are directly attached to it. There are many scenarios in our ever changing environment that would make me nervous to put a kite on autopilot regardless of how many scenarios you think you've accounted for.

Still, its exciting to see innovation. I'm sure something good will come out of all the various ideas Smile