When Windmills Fly

Standard Wind Turbine

Up in the air -- it's a bird; it's a plane; it's a -- flying windmill?

That's right, a flying windmill. Who knew. It looks like a cross between a kite and helicopter that's tethered to the ground. This brainchild of engineer Dave Shepard hovers six miles above ground where the jet stream blows faster and more consistently. It captures 100 times more energy than it's terrestrial counterparts, and Shepard believes it could produce electricity for about half the cost of power from traditional plants. Barely visible to the eye, it wouldn't mar the landscape or pose a threat to birds since they don't fly that high.

Magenn Power of Canada has another idea. That firm developed an airborne system resembling an inflatable paddle wheel that uses helium to keep it aloft. Another design by a Dutch astronaut is a kind of giant kite connected to a ground station via cable. As the kite gets reeled out by the wind, it turns an electric generator.

While none of these inventions are currently in widespread use, they've already proven one thing: When it comes to inventing new ways to produce clean, sustainable energy -- the sky is the limit.

Script by Stephen Webb

Discovery Links

To learn more about today’s topic, please explore the links below:

• Flying Wind Farms
• Canadian Airborne Wind Power System
• The Kinetic Energy Kite