China is trying out a new type of wind turbine that does not stay fixed on the ground. Instead, it floats high in the sky and produces electricity using strong winds above cities.
This system is called the S2000 Stratosphere Airborne Wind Energy System, or SAWES for short. It is held up in the air by a large helium-filled blimp. Recently, it was tested about 2,000 meters (more than 6,500 feet) above Yibin city in Sichuan province. During the test, it reportedly generated 385 kilowatts of electricity.
This airborne turbine works in a similar way to regular wind turbines. Usually, wind turbines are built on the ground. When the wind blows, their blades spin and create electricity.
In this new system, the blades also spin in the wind, but they work high up in the sky instead of on the ground. The electricity produced is then sent down to the ground through strong cables.
According to reports, researchers had carried out similar tests last year as well. However, the machine is still in the prototype stage, which means it is still being tested and improved.
China is currently the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide. At the same time, it is also a global leader in renewable energy, especially in wind and solar power. Projects like this airborne wind turbine show that the country is exploring new and innovative ways to produce clean energy.
Source
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/china-is-reportedly-testing-a-new-airborne-wind-turbine
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