MIT continues to uphold its legendary name for creative thinkers with the Altaeros Energies company that has been able to develop a prototype of a blimp-like structure that can create high altitude power referred to as the Airborne Wind Turbine (AWT).
It is ten meters in diameter and floats thanks to helium. The idea is that winds are stronger the higher one travels and this model was sent up to 100 meters high and generates nearly two times more power from up there. This invention is an innovative way to use open space for energy. The Airborne Wind Turbines will be able to travel across skies, not having to take up land area that could be useful for other purposes. The future looks brighter and the skies will be filled with more than gas-guzzling planes.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Airborne Wind Turbines
- Developing AWT technology for higher altitude power generation presents disruptive innovation opportunities for sustainable energy production.
- Inflatable Energy Structures
- The use of inflatable, helium-based structures as energy sources suggests disruptive innovation opportunities for lightweight, portable power solutions.
- High Altitude Energy Generation
- Exploring AWTs and other high altitude energy generation technologies could lead to new possibilities for power production with less environmental impact and land use requirements.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Energy
- The development of AWTs and other inflatable, high-altitude energy structures has the potential to disrupt traditional energy generation and distribution industries.
- Aerospace
- Creating AWT technology requires innovation in the aerospace industry and presents opportunities for collaboration and advancements in both fields.
- Environment
- Inflatable flying energy sources represent a disruptive innovation opportunity for renewable energy and could help mitigate the damage caused by traditional energy production on the environment.
