China tests world’s largest megawatt-level flying 'windmill' airship
interestingengineering.com
China’s S1500 airborne wind turbine completes maiden flight, becoming the world’s largest floating wind-power generator.

"High-altitude winds between 1,640 and 3,281 feet (500 and 10,000 meters) above the ground are stronger and steadier than surface winds. These winds are abundant, widely available, and carbon-free.

"The physics of wind power makes this resource extremely valuable. “When wind speed doubles, the energy it carries increases eightfold, triple the speed, and you have 27 times the energy,” explained Gong Zeqi "

  • Nighed@feddit.ukEnglish
    7·
    7 hours ago

    A wind turbine automatically feathers. Why can’t the airship automatically raise and lower itself?

    With modern forecasting, getting it’s height right shouldn’t be too hard?

    • BombOmOm@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      1 hour ago

      Why can’t the airship automatically raise and lower itself?

      It doesn’t just need to be lowered, that would leave it exposed still. It needs to deflated/reinflated every storm, while also having someone strap the carefully folded deflated bits down, or put itself into a very expensive massive hangar every storm. Are these possible, yes, but again, it needs to be economical, not just possible.

      Weather has always been a severe issue with airships. It’s the main reason you don’t see them filling the sky.

      • Nighed@feddit.ukEnglish
        2·
        1 hour ago

        Does the article actually list the target altitude for this version?

        I think I was imagining something much higher. You’re probably right.