Hi Pierre: See, this is what I’ve been saying all along: Even the most basic ABC;s of wind energy are lost on the AWE wannabes. I mean “it seems”? As though this was ever in question? What about car engines? DO more powerful engines tend to be bigger and heavier? Of course! I mean, isn’t such a basic fact as something more powerful tends to be heavier the most basic starting point for sus[enmding them in the air? isn;t weight the first factor considered in aviation? You knaw that aviation diagram, thrust versus drag, lift versus weight?
And you’ve repeated the claim that kiteX turbines are lighter for the weight? Well, i congratulate kiteX on two things: 1) realizing the overspeed protection is the most important thing, and 2) realizing a generator has to be big (heavy) enough to produce its rated power for unlimited time periods without burning out (heat dissipation). Just like a car engine or any other powerplant. (Gee, ya think?")
What I’m NOT seeing is their turbine being lighter than others for the output. To me, it seems similar to what is already out there, maybe even a bit heavier. The weight savings seem to be in the tower, or lack thereof. The idea is to place more swept area closer to the ground, thereby lowering costs, with pitch control limiting damage from overpowering the generator. Anyway, at least they have something that works, which is more than we can say for so many wind energy efforts! 