KiteShip (or sails to you and I)

I remember reading a thread about this before but can't find it now so will post afresh.

Kites are no longer just for leisurely days at the beach. A promising enviro-enterprise to watch, KiteShip is a wind-power-tech company proposing the use of massive sea kites to reduce the amount of fuel used by commercial freighters. And recently, company executives have announced a potential partnership with four shipping companies to build a $2 million, 13,000-square-foot kite to help haul ships as large as 400 feet long. The huge kite would cut fuel costs drastically, making the gas-guzzling commercial shipping industry a little greener.

http://www.kiteship.com/

[mellow_hendrix]

This is just a sail boat, where's the revolation?

[LMagic007]

Not sure, I can't see one. Clearly it's an extension of traditional sail technology. If however, this method of harnessing wind power can save the amounts of fuel suggested, that might make it worthy of application.

At this stage I'm more interested in how much more beneficial this would be compared to a conventional sail boat approach. Reliability would concern me, though I guess they would retain a fossil fuel powered engine backup.

[seven]

I'm sure I've seen this sort of thing attached to a tanker or container boat (something big anyway). Can't seem to find the thread now though.

[forfi]

Originally Posted by seven

I'm sure I've seen this sort of thing attached to a tanker or container boat (something big anyway). Can't seem to find the thread now though.

You did ,can't find the details but it looked good and was ideal for long-haul tankers and container ships.Conventional power for docking etc and sail when under way.

[david16]

http://skysails.info/ are another such company and they're setting sail this month.

The first commercial cargo ship with additional propulsion by a towing kite system will be commissioned by the Beluga Group. On Saturday, 15 December 2007, the Multi Purpose Heavy Lift Carrier MS “Beluga SkySails” was ceremonially christened at the “Landungsbrücken/Überseebrücke” in Hamburg. All components of the SkySails-System have been installed on deck. The cargo vessel can now “set sail” for the very first time – starting with a towing kite of 160 square meters in size.

Good to see these things actually in use. Has anyone seen one in action?

[hoon]

Supplementing a diesel powered ship with a little wind boost to save energy and pollute less is the kind of thing we should be doing more of.

Bit more on this here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/mai.../eakite120.xml

[macgardener]

I just read this.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7201887.stm