A feasibility study on the ocean higher altitude strong wind energy utilization system

Abstract

In the aftermath of the severe tsunamis that followed the Great East Japan earthquake of March 11, 2011, operations at nuclear power plants in Japan were severely curtailed and ocean wind energy utilization began attracting keen interest. Ocean wind utilization currently takes numerous forms worldwide, and fixed or floating type wind turbines with diameters up to 120 m are now in commercial operation in many countries. In this paper, we propose a new approach and discuss the feasibility of using high strong altitude ocean winds to power a simple kite-based generator system. The average high altitude wind speed over ocean areas is between 12 to 14 m/sec depending on the season and region, but stronger and more consistent average wind speeds can be expected at high altitudes in comparison to surface level winds. Our proposal is based on a kite towing system operating at high altitudes that is connected to a ship hull equipped with a propeller, electric generator, and an energy storage system. After calculations aimed at optimization, our estimates indicate this system holds promise as a method for converting constantly blowing high altitude strong ocean winds into useful electric energy.