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AWT
A wind based energy generation device with at least one airborne element. The Makani AWT consists of a rigid wing with mounted turbines that flies in circles across the wind at 300 meters (1,000 feet) above ground level.
Airborne Wind Turbine
A wind based energy generation device with at least one airborne element. The Makani AWT consists of a rigid wing with mounted turbines that flies in circles across the wind at 300 meters (1,000 feet) above ground level.
Airborne Wind Turbines
A wind based energy generation device with at least one airborne element. The Makani AWT consists of a rigid wing with mounted turbines that flies in circles across the wind at 300 meters (1,000 feet) above ground level.
Autonomous Controller
An on-board computer that controls the flight path of the wing by changing the position of the control flaps.
Avionics
The electronic backbone of the AWT. Avionics include the sensors, actuators, controllers and communication systems that keep the wing flying on its desired path.
Capacity factor
The average power output divided by the name plate power output of a power plant. Capacity factor demonstrates the frequency with which a power plant is running at its name plate capacity.
COE
Cost of Energy or the total cost to generate energy that is fed into the grid.
Firming Power
The outside power generation needed to stabilize the flow of electricity to the grid when an inconsistent resource, like wind or solar, creates less electricity than needed.
Ground Station
The base station for the AWT, includes a winch for retrieval of the wing and storage of the tether.
Material efficiency
Material efficiency refers to how much power is output in relation to the raw material needed for construction of the generator.
Rated power
The amount of power a plant delivers when operating at full capacity.
Rated capacity
The amount of power a plant delivers when operating at full capacity.
Rotors
The rotors capture the accelerated wind as it rushes across the wing and convert it into electrical power with small, direct drive generators. The hybrid rotors can act as propellers as well as turbines, allowing the wing to stay aloft if the wind dies.
Turbines
The rotors capture the accelerated wind as it rushes across the wing and convert it into electrical power with small, direct drive generators. The hybrid rotors can act as propellers as well as turbines, allowing the wing to stay aloft if the wind dies.
Tether
The tether is made of high strength fibers surrounding a conductive core. The tether carries the traction force of the wing and transmits the electrical power to the ground station.
Tethered
The tether is made of high strength fibers surrounding a conductive core. The tether carries the traction force of the wing and transmits the electrical power to the ground station.
Usable land
Factors that influence whether land is usable include site geography, ecology, and wind patterns, for example.
Industry: The Pew Clean Energy Report
Earlier this month the Pew Charitable Trusts published their 2011 edition of “Who’s Winning the Clean Energy Race?“ This report details the current state of clean energy investment in the G-20 countries, including investment in wind, small hydro, biomass, solar, geothermal and marine energy. Profiles of each G-20 country describe the total amount of investment, its distribution, the rate of installation and relevant government policies. The report found that clean energy investment increased by 6.5% in 2011, totaling $263 billion. While the United States still has the most investment in clean energy, over the last five years China has increased their clean energy generation capacity by 92% surpassing all other countries to reach 133 GW of installed capacity, including 60 GW of wind energy.
A detailed overview of many of the lead countries in the clean energy sector puts necessary and difficult-to-acquire information in the hands of small companies like Makani. While the report does not focus on wind energy in particular, it gives a clear and coherent summary of the overall field. This information will prove invaluable as Makani negotiates the complex territory ahead.