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China unveils World’s first high-altitude flying wind turbine
China has unveiled an innovative flying wind turbine, the S1500, described as the world’s first high-altitude airborne wind power system. Measuring 60 meters in length and 40 meters in width and height, this helium-filled aerial turbine hovered at 1,500 meters above the Gobi Desert during its first successful test on September 21.
According to Chinese media, the S1500 is capable of generating over 6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, enough to power around 6,000 households. Developed by Beijing-based company Linyi Yunchuan, the turbine features a rocket-shaped central cone surrounded by an annular wing, forming a massive channel that captures high-altitude winds to drive twelve 100-kilowatt micro-generators.
The electricity produced is transmitted to the ground via tethered cables. The design reduces construction materials by 40%, leading to a 30% decrease in electricity production costs. The twelve carbon-fiber micro-generators weigh less than one ton in total, only a tenth of the weight of conventional wind turbines, highlighting the system’s efficiency and lightweight engineering.
The S1500 represents a significant step forward in renewable energy technology, opening new possibilities for high-altitude wind power and cost-effective electricity generation.