Kites' pulling power

High winds
It’s a simple ancient notion that is thrilling renewable energy enthusiasts across the world.

New Zealander Peter Lynn plans to use tethered kites attached to generators to create electricity. Powerful winds are reliable at heights of 800 metres or 1 kilometre. Google have invested $100 million to prove the feasibility of kite power. In theory they will be cheaper and more efficient than windmills because they use the wind where it is strongest.

In Delft University in the Netherlands 3 kilowatts electricity was generated last year by a 10-square-metre kite by Bas Lansdorp. He says that he has proved that the system works.

There is a Kite Gen team in Italy that has conducted successful experiments and hope to have an industrial prototype within two or three years.

The problem that all the teams face is the need to keep the kites aloft and maximising lift. Kite Gen envisages scores of kites tethered to a single generator spinning around a fixed axis.

The European Commission is recommending the harnessing of high altitude winds. In Britain we are lagging behind. Proponents of wind power 20 years ago anticipated today’s boom in windmills. Last year the capacity increase was 27% almost all using Danish equipment.

If we do not share in the pioneering pulling power of kites, the UK will lose out again in a flourishing clean future energy source.

Pigged

There is disquiet at next week's proposal for  what's claimed to be 'human-animals hybrids.' A lively debate is certain about the unprecedented mixing of cells of different species.

Frank Dobson is one of a few MPs that have pig parts in their bodies. Frank had his 'tube' inserted following heart surgery. Asked at the time whether he had received a sympathy message from Tony Blair, Frank said, "No I didn't. But the pig probably did'"