ENGY 775 Alternative Energy Systems: Kite Energy Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of kite energy as an alternative method for harnessing wind power. It begins with an introduction highlighting the growing importance of wind energy and the challenges in finding suitable sites for traditional wind farms. The background section traces the history of kites and their potential in aeronautical technology, emphasizing the need for industrial engineering design in kite applications. The report then details the operational mechanics of kite energy systems, including yo-yo configurations and direct wind conversion methods using turbines attached to the kite. It discusses the benefits, such as the ability to reach higher wind speeds and smaller footprints, along with limitations like wind intermittency and potential damage. The report also examines the economic and environmental impacts, including job creation, land lease payments, and tourism benefits, while acknowledging the potential for land and water pollution. The conclusion underscores the optimistic predictions for kite energy, emphasizing its potential for consistent power provision, cost-effectiveness, and scalability, supported by a comprehensive list of references.

KITE ENERGY
[Author Name(s), First M. Last, Omit Titles and Degrees]
[Institutional Affiliation(s)]

Introduction
It is evident that wind energy is changing from an almost negligible part of the supply electricity
in most parts of the world to more important and much larger component which is quickly
expanding. This can be seen from the small household wind turbines, giant industrial wind farms
among others. In addition researchers and technologists are all in agreement that wind energy
should form the frame of energy supply in the future. It is regrettable to note that it is never easy
to find a suitable site for the construction or establishment of wind farms. This is because the
required wind must be persistent and strong.
Background
The existence of kites can be traced back to over 3000years although they have received very
little focus from the community of scientists. During the development of the powered flights
which were used in the ninth century, these structures have been of paramount importance. The
field of aeronautical technology has advanced in the latest twentieth century (Li, Olinger &
Demetriou 2018). The technology of kite has been boosted by the scientific approach to the
aircraft development. Regrettably, this kind of the development is evidently missing in the case
of the kites. The design and application of kites is still characterized by the elements of trial and
error process. The application of kites like in the case of the sporting activities and kite surfing,
good results have been realized (Goldstein 2013).
The latest good results are attributed to the fact that kites are usually cheaper to make besides the
materials being readily available. The use of methods of trial and error results into the production
of kites which are uncontrolled as well as unstructured. This basically implies that industrial
engineering design of the kites is a basic requirement. Compared to other conventional aircrafts,

one of the important features of the kites is the higher level of flexibility. This particular
characteristic is worth being embraced. In the process of wind energy tapping, there is a
limitation on the basis of the height of turbine. As a result, researchers have started thinking of
having tower substituted with a device which is capable of flying. One possible and effective
substitute is the use of kites (Mazzella et al. 2008).
How it Works
The simplest design of the kite has the above shared configuration of yo-yo. In this particular
configuration, the control of kite is achieved by the use of two tether lines. These lines are useful
in the power transmission to the ground frond the kite as they unroll from the drum which has
been effectively coupled to the electric drives serving as generators. The electric drives will be
driven in reverse direction immediately kite reaches the end of extension line. This implies that
they will be used in pulling in the kite (Dief et al. 2018).
The period is therefore described as passive period. The component can therefore be depowered
by having one line pulled in more than the other. This will allow an extension of kite in the
direction which is parallel to the wind which resembles the operation principle of flag. Upon
being pulled to the lowest height, the lengths of the lines will be equalized so as to allow a new
phase of traction to start (Yin, Zhao, & Zhang 2018). During the passive phase, it had been
previously stated that kite is depowered. Depowering process involve the use of less energy in
pulling as opposed to the quantity extra which was extracted in the traction phase from wind.
This implies that there will be net generation of power (Goela 1979).
The process can be summarized as shown in the diagram

Figure 1: Diagrammatic presentation of the components of Kite energy systems (Goldstein 2013)
How to convert this in electricity
There will be direct conversion of wind by one system into electricity. This is achieved by small
turbines attached to the kite itself. This particular electricity will be transported from the kite ti
the station on the ground by the use of the electric cables. During the payout of the line, the drum
will be rotating. This particular drum is attached to the generator which helps in the generation of
the electricity (De Schutter et al.2018).
What are the benefits and limitations of it?
Benefits of Kites in the case of wind power generation:
 It is possible for kites to reach higher speeds of wind which are experienced in the case of
higher altitudes

 They have very small footprint compared to the wind turbine of equivalent capacity with
foundation which is lower (Bauer et al.2018).
 In order to prevent mechanical damages, wind turbines are usually shut down when the
speeds of winds are high. However the systems of kite energy can operate even in
hurricanes.
 It is possible to construct and install kite systems on a floating structure in the areas of the
oceans which might be too deep for the installation of the wind turbines (Leuthold, Gros
& Diehl 2017).
 The system of the kites can be moved and delivered by the use of the trucks and be set up
in new location within a matter of hours and they become very useful in the relief efforts.
Limitations of the generation of energy from the kite mechanisms:
The intermittency of wind is expected to cause very big problem to this particular project. This
implies that there will be need for in cooperation of other mechanisms which have more
consistent power properties as plant. Also the current technology for the storage of energy will
have to be improved. Other challenges include the following:
 In some cases, when these kites are made too big or larger in their scales, they are likely
fail, fall and cause damage (Bauer et al.2018).
 The change in the pressure and direction or plane of the wind is likely to cause decline in
the capacity of the output.
 There will be need for regular supervision as well as repair maintenance.
 The amount of energy produced as not as huge as the case of the H.EP.

 The planes which utilize the same airspace are likely to collide with kites. This further
affects the installation processes of the component (Li, Olinger & Demetriou 2016)
What are the economic and environmental impacts?
Economic Impacts
Kite energy projects have several economic benefits to the communities found in the
neighborhood. Some of the benefits which this particular project is likely to bring include the
following:
 Direct employment: There will be creation of job opportunities particularly in the rural
areas where the project will touch on the sectors such as transportation, manufacturing as
well as construction of the project itself (Senthur et al.2018).
 Payment from land lease: Kite energy will offer the owners of the land new cash crop.
This is through the compensation program to the owners of the land. Also farmers may
practice farming of crops such as sweet potatoes which are known as low lying crops.
This will further boost the economy system (Kim 2010).
 Kite energy tourism: In case of the places where tourism is a major part of the economy
locally, the farm for kite energy may act as the source of revenue from since it will act as
an enhancement to what is already present.
Environmental Impacts
 It is important to note that the processes of the establishment of the kite energy system
will require clearance of the land which was initially under the coverage of the

vegetation. This will definitely leave the land bear and hence resulting into the loss of the
biodiversity (Albertani, Muschler & Maurer 2017).
 The production of the kite energy will rely on the strength of the blowing wind. This
implies that the area is likely to be associated with the production of a lot of noise hence
air pollution.
 Clearance of the vegetation on the area around the installation points will definitely
results into water pollution since the bare land will allow for the generation of the surface
run off.
Features of the Kite farm
Kite firm energy requires large tracks of land extending to several kilometers and free from
obstruction of objects. Also the area of location is usually within the hotline of wind as
experienced periodically or seasonally (Luchsinger et al.2019).
Conclusion
As per the presented project, the prediction which this particular project is putting forth is very
optimistic and not unrealistic. In case an altitude of 400 metres and above can be realized, it will
ensure consistent provision of power. The weigh and drag of lines will play very crucial role in
such projected studies. The kites with the control systems to keep them flying are effective for
the extraction of wind energy. Kite energy has the potential to be inexpensive competitively. It
can be more scalable as opposed to the currently used mills.

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