Using an aerostat or a kite as a lifter of a regular wind turbine, by juxtaposing proven technologies?

The comparison is not flattering. :smile:

Hi Doug, the problem is the weight and drag of the wind turbine.

Net weight of G10K (10 kW, diameter 6.5 m): 215 kg.

Kiwee includes a 4 m² kite to lift the rotor sweeping about 1 m², and the pulley transmission, the whole weighing 1-1.5 kg.
So for 215 kg (and related drag of the wind turbine sweeping 33 m²), an approximately 200-400 m² kite (or a 300 m³ blimp) would be required, and for only 10 kW.

By using only a 300 m² crosswind kite in reeling mode, the average power would be more than ten times greater.

Now the price of a 48 m³ aerostat is US$ 31,420 + helium (about $7.57 per cubic meter). And you’d need to build 6 like this one, or a 300 m³ one, to lift the 10 kW wind turbine.

I think you can now see that this is not a very promising option.