WindLift Power

Energy Kite Systems

Speaking of jumping off points.  Joe Faust over at Energy Kite Systems has been doing a heroic job organizing a huge amount of data around the history of airborne wind energy (AWE).  Check out his site!

Energy Kite Systems

Excellent Summary Paper on Airborne Wind Energy

KU Leuven Kite Power Group Moritz Diehl Presentation

Mortiz Diehl gave this excellent presentation at TU Muenchen, Ringvorlesung Umwelt, January 20, 2010.   This is a great jumping off spot for anyone interested in the amazing research going on in this space.

Evolving Acronyms in Airborne Wind Energy (AWE)

The November, 2009  High Altitude Wind Power (HAWP) Conference in Chico, CA  was an amazing opportunity to get together with thought leaders in the newly evolving field of Airborne Wind Energy (AWE).

One of the greatest things to come out of the conference was a new acronym for our technology sector.  When many of us got started in this space we imagined our systems up in the jet stream harnessing the amazing winds up there.  As we have built prototype, tested ideas, run simulation models, etc.  Many of the researchers in this space have started to come down to earth.  We all still believe that someday (5-20 years) tapping the winds above 2000 ft. will be a key component of renewable energy, but to sustain our work we need to find approaches that can pay the bills today.

Anyway, there are still a wide variety of different approaches, and incredible research going on all around the world.

One of the best things to come out of the conference was some agreement on an acronym for what we do…  The general consensus has been to start calling the industry – Airborne Wind Energy (AWE).

There is of course lots of potential confusion with the American Wind Energy Association (AWE), the word awe, etc.  But in my limited experience using the term Airborne Wind Energy, it seemed to resonate well with people unfamiliar with the space.

Corey Houle at Swiss Kite Power had a better acronym, but it didn’t catch on – Airborne Wind Energy Systems Of Maximum Efficiency, for now I guess we are all in AWE.

Next Conference

Global Innovations in Energy: How Business Is Addressing Climate Change

Conference Dates: April 20 and 21, 2010

Location: UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Hosts: Center for Sustainable Enterprise, Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER)

When I moved to North Carolina I joined the fantastic BASE program at UNC-Chapel Hill.  BASE was a solid resource that led to some really great contacts in the Renewable Energy Space.  Based on our recent success I have been excited to speak at this conference.

High Altitude Wind Power Conference

There have been lots of exciting developments for Windlift lately.  The biggest news is the first High Altitude Wind Power conference in Chico, California.

I am planning to go out for the conference, and will be speaking.

Here is my talk summary.

Mobile Wind Power for Agriculture and Economic Development

Tethered wind power systems have three advantages over turbine based approaches to harnessing wind: higher altitude, larger swept area, and the absence of a tower or foundation.  The high cost of energy storage and capacity factor concerns have driven most practitioners to focus on the steadier winds found at higher altitudes.  This approach has some significant benefits; however, it introduces many engineering challenges. The larger swept area available to a cross-wind system allows a relatively small and portable airfoil to harness tremendous amounts of power.  The absence of a tower or foundation allows the base station to be mounted on a truck or a boat.  These latter advantages of a tethered system have driven Windlift to develop an off-grid mobile system for agriculture and economic development.

There have been many other significant developments for the company.  I have been instructed not to say anything public right now, but it is all good!

Hope to go public before Christmas.

Asian Water Tables

I was having trouble getting motivated this morning, so I thought I’d poke around and find out what is happening in the world of water.  Some families are into sports, some into music, others into politics. My mom is a Soil and Water Resource Manager up in Northern Minnesota, my grandfather owns a farm down in Iowa, and I kiteboard.  I guess you could say my family is into water.  Water for crops, water for streams and aquifers, clean water for lakes and oceans.  Some of the most heated discussions around our dining room table have been how the run-off from grandpa’s farm is polluting the aquifers and streams.  I try to stay above the fray, but sometimes the smell of rot and the mass of weeds (from fertilizer run-off) in my favorite kite-boarding spots can be a bummer.  Especially when I crash my kite, and the lines get tangled up.

Anyway, I read this article in the New Scientist that got me thinking.

My thoughts were:

1. As long as governments subsidize electricity and grid-expansion to rural areas, WindLift will need to work with governments. (Subsidies distort incentives, and cause long-term problems!)
2. WindLift pumps don’t help the problem of exhausted aquifers, they just help reduce the 50% of electric power that goes to irrigation pumps in these countries.
3. Direct mechanical connections to water tables 1 km down are expensive.  Electric or compressed air would be cheaper.
4. We’re all freakin’ DOOMED!

Or mabye not…  Check out this awesome project.  My latest brainstorm is to have WindLift systems floating over Deep Ocean Water sites using a tube/tether anchor to pump up cold water and condense fresh water.  I’m not sure if this would be cheaper than reverse osmosis membrane de-salination, but I am willing to do a project in the tropics to find out.

Later…

Grid Limitations on Wind Energy

A recent article in the NY Times illustrates the immense challenge in cunducting intermittent wind energy from producing regions to consuming regions using the current grid infrastructure.

This problem has driven WindLift’s product development in our push for a distributed solution.   Because kites are able to access higher altitude wind, and the base stations can be mounted on a truck or a boat there is no need for expensive grid infrastructure.  We believe the better focus of scarce capital is to build local energy storage systems either as elevated water or compressed air.  This would insure a modular and robust renewable energy infrastructure.  A large government funded grid infrastructure is vulnerable to war, weather, and human error. This could be a real problem, especially in emerging markets.  The cost in lost lives and production if this grid fails is a disaster waiting to happen.

The fact is that most people do not want to live in the windiest regions of the world. Throughout history human settlements have flourished in sheltered harbors, and wooded regions that provide reliable wind breaks.  This is probably because windy regions often have catastrophic storms that completely scour the landscape of buildings and crops.  Any renewable energy solution involving wind needs to recognize this fact, and plan for a way to bring wind energy to market.

Finally a real WindLift website

We just published a real website.

Check it out at WindLift.biz

Someone is camping WindLift.com, so don’t give them your eyeballs.

SteamPunk Artists and Web Designers Wanted

Dearest Friends,

It is time I confess that I am a shameless contraptor bent on world liberation (and domination) with my “WindLift Kite Engines“. These wondrous machines have the promise to take back our planet from its current subjugation by sulfurous internal combustion engines. Combined with awesome new nano-engineered materials kite power will return us to the glorious age of sail, albeit with a marvelous twist.

Immersed in mechanics and business it is easy to lose sight of the mystery and beauty of kite energy. The strange feedback loops and surges of power that make what we do possible have an element of the fantastic. My hope is to turn kite engines into masterpieces, but sadly I, myself am artistically challenged. As I embark on long voyages around the world to demonstrate my machines I hope to share new creative visions with all, using kites as a resplendent canvas for talented artists in my employ.

Some have suggested I pollute the landscape with crass commercial messages to increase my profit. This short term thinking will doom kite energy in the inevitable public backlash. Instead I wish each kite to become a functional piece of art, reflecting the taste and passions of my customers.

Now I am looking for artists and web designers who can help me steampunkify The WindLift Kite Engine Company, reflecting my own taste and passions. If you are someone or know of someone who might be interested in working with me please send them my way. As my plans proceed, talented artists should expect to be showered with treasure from lands far and wide to realize whatever visions they desire.

Your Humble Servant,
Robert J. Creighton II, Founder and President of the WindLift Kite Engine Company

Mai-Tai Kite Camp

My hat goes off to Bill Tai and Suzi Mai for the amazing Mai-Tai Kiteboarding camp on Maui. While the wind conditions were a disappointment, the most incredible thing about this camp was the people who attended. It seemed like every time I turned around I was meeting another visionary entrepreneur or venture capitalist. Kite-boarding seems to attract a unique set of adrenaline junkies who are generous, funny, and kind. I made some good friends this week, and extend an open invitation to anyone on the trip to ride with me in North Carolina.

When I stepped off the plane on Friday, May 9th the winds were blowing over 30 knots. I arrived early to try and get some work done with Dan Tracy at Kites For Sail. I stayed with Dan at his very cool place out in Haiku. Thanks Dan!

Unfortunately, the forecast was for light Kona winds coming in for the main days of the camp on Tuesday-Friday. Luckily I was able to take advantage of the stronger trade winds to ride on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at Kanaha (Kite Beach). Watching the professionals ride on those days was unbelievable. Video doesn’t do justice to the awesome athletic abilities of these riders. It has to be seen in person to truly appreciate the skill and power required to pull off some of their tricks.

Even without wind on Tuesday-Friday I had a great time. Tracy and Kim from Charles River Ventures managed some amazing logistical feats, and the Silcon Valley Bank events were also a ton of fun.

On Saturday and Sunday the winds returned. They were not as strong as the previous week, but I was still able to ride my 8m Cabrinha SwitchBlade 3 (BUY THIS KITE!) on Saturday. Jesse Richman was also kiting that day, and that kid can throw down! Just unbelievable to watch the effortless grace Jesse brings to kiting.

On Sunday Dan and Ian demonstrated their latest prototype. Their new approach to kite propulsion is totally revolutionary. After the demo all I could do was clap my hands at Dan and Ian’s technical prowess and achievement. Kite For Sails’ product will turn the sailing world upside down. I wish I had a million dollars to invest in their company.

Thank you Bill for your generous invitation to this event. You are a great ambassador for the sport, and I look forward to kiting with you again soon.

Jeff Kafka took this picture of me learning how to jump. Next year I’ll learn how to land.