Kite power company Makani has lost the support of Google parent Alphabet which previously funded the company via an internal programme known as ‘Other Bets’.
The company leaves the Google fold after seven years in which the Makani team advanced its technology from a 20kW demonstrator kite to a utility-scale unit capable of generating 600kW.
“Despite strong technical progress, the road to commercialization is longer and riskier than hoped, so from today Makani’s time at Alphabet is coming to an end,” Makani chief executive Fort Felker wrote in the company’s blog on Tuesday.
Felker said oil and gas supermajor Shell may continue its investment in Makani technology as part of its plans to diversify into new renewable segments.
Shell last year backed two offshore test flights of a Makani energy kite mounted on a floating spar buoy off Norway.
“While it’s tempting to say that all climate-related ideas deserve investment, remaining clear-eyed and directing resources to the opportunities where we think we can have the greatest impact isn’t just good business; it’s essential when it comes to a problem as urgent as the climate crisis,”Astro Teller, ‘Captain of Moonshots’ at Alphabet and chairman of the Makani board said.
“Most of the [Makani] team will move on to their next adventure, a small team will stay on for a few months to package up what they’ve learned so others can build on it,” Teller added.