Check out this link http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...-video-ap.html

It shows video of a cargo ship that uses a massive kite (actually a wing) to assist in powering the ship. They can save up 20% of their fuel. The ship has about 6000 horsepower so that mean 1200 horsepower less or a couple TONS of fuel per day, day after day as the ship crosses the ocean.

I read that these kites are being applied to various kinds of ships and will soon be in common use, especially on long hauls.

It reminded me of the kite surfers and wind surfers in Aruba.

There are solutions out there and smart people putting them to work. Now, if I can only convince my Aruban friends to put up some windmills....

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interesting! more interesting is the tale i heard about the reason there are little or no windmills anywhere on aruba. it seems that the power company frowns on anything that takes away from their revenues and quite a few years ago was able to 'convince' the government to disallow any alternate power sources.

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Sherry,

That is partly true. They discourage alternative energy to keep cash flowing in their direction. However, THEY CAN'T STOP ME. I've already had my system designed for Aruba by a company here in the US. I have most of the components and need to build some foundations and a few things in Aruba. Then, probably next year, I'll be 80% self sufficient, perhaps 100% when good wind and sun is in the offing.

Not to be a "pig" but I'm trying to make a deal with my neighbor to install some switch gear and use the power when I'm not there (at a very reduced rate because it would go to nothing if I just shut down). We would both get a good deal and have some cash to upgrade and maintain for the future.

I'm a firm believer we need to protect and improve the environment. The way to do it is through individual efforts that will add up to more than one can ever imagine. I know of a shipping company that sails from Northern Europe (Sweden, Germany, and such) for the US northeast every week. They have 50 ships. With those kites working they would save about $100,000 per day not to mention cut pollution by a dramatic amount.

Anyway, my cause... no more preaching.

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Novelist, Pilot
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i agree with you completely. i am always amazed at how many of my neighbors don't recycle or will water their flowers in a watering ban. suv's are a pet peeve of mine too. we have finite resources and we use them to great excess.

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