Altaeros Energies’ Buoyant Airborne Turbine Set To Reach 1,000 Feet
Vishal Khan
Apr 6, 2014
Altaeros Energies, a wind energy company from MIT, announced that they are going to break the world record for wind turbine highest travelled, with their Alaska demonstration project. This project is called the BAT, or Buoyant Airborne Turbine, and is designed to reach 1,000 feet high, which is 275 feet above the current world record, held by the Vestas v164-8.0-mw.
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What Is The Purpose Behind All Of This?
That’s all good and well, but what is the point? Well if everything pans out as planned, then BAT will generate low cost energy on a regular basis. This turbine will be sold for the remote power market, which is currently served by expensive diesel generators.
1,000 Feet Above
The BAT much like a blimp uses an inflatable helium shell to elevate itself. Getting the turbine 1,000 feet high is a world record, but obviously, MIT and other project partners haven’t been investing their time and money just to beat a record.
So, Why Try So Hard?
A turbine uses wind to generate electricity. The winds are stronger at higher altitudes, and are more consistent too.
Why An Airborne Turbine?
Well, except for low cost energy and stronger winds at higher altitudes, airborne wind turbines can be used for supplying power to remote areas and islands. It can also help for agriculture, military bases, and disaster relief organizations.
Success Or Failure?
The BAT’s design is similar to that of Aerostats, which have been rated highly for surviving hurricane winds. Altaeros tested out a BAT prototype against 45 mph winds, 500 feet high, and it was a success. So they have some confidence in this venture, and there isn’t really a reason for failure. This should be a success.
