# UAV Power Generators Makani Power's Wing 7 Flies Around the Skies Gathering Wind Energy By Michael Hines | Published 2011-10-11 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wing-7 References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/wing-7-flying-wind-turbine-makani-power/20109/) & [makanipower](http://www.makanipower.com/) Makani Power is making it easier to generate [wind energy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blademade) with Wing 7. Wing 7 is a [flying wind turbine](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grain-blanc) designed to fly at high altitudes where the wind is at its most powerful and abundant. Wing 7 takes off vertically and has a cruising altitude of around 1,300 feet. Once Wing 7 has reached its cruising altitude, the wing begins flying like a kite in horizontal sweeping patterns. The energy generated is transferred down the Wing 7's tether and stored in a [power box](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dji-power-1000-mini) below. Currently the turbine is capable of generating 20 kilowatts of power per hour, but the team is working on a new design that could fly as high as 1,800 feet and generate 1 megawatt of power. If everything goes well, the team hopes to bring the Wing 7 to the commercial market by 2015. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 45% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Flying Wind Turbines:** The technology of flying wind turbines is a disruptive innovation opportunity as it provides a cost-effective alternative to fixed wind turbines. - **High Altitude Wind Energy Generation:** Developing high altitude wind energy generation methods is a disruptive innovation opportunity as it can generate more electricity with consistent wind speeds. - **Tethered Uavs for Power Generation:** Using tethered UAVs for power generation is a disruptive innovation opportunity as it provides an alternative to traditional power generation methods. ### Who This Affects Most - **Renewable Energy:** Renewable energy companies could leverage flying wind turbines to create a more efficient and cost-effective system for power generation. - **Aerospace:** Aerospace companies could use their expertise to design and manufacture flying wind turbines, opening up a new market for their products. - **Electricity Transmission and Distribution:** Companies involved in electricity transmission and distribution could incorporate flying wind turbines into their networks, providing a more reliable and cost-effective source of energy. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Portable Wind Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Portable-Wind-Generator.md) - [Portable Energy Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-energy-generator.md) - [Travel-Ready Wind Turbines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wind-turbine-generator.md) - [Portable Wind Turbine Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shine-20.md) - [Single-Blade Offshore Wind Turbines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/singleblade-offshore-wind-turbine.md) - [Power-Beaming Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-recharging-system.md) - [Floating Wind Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wind-platform.md) - [Mast-Mounted Wind Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grain-blanc.md) - [Honeycomb-Shaped Wind Turbines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bladeless-wind-turbine-design.md)