Shell has partnered with US outfit Makani, which is owned by Google parent company Alphabet, to bring energy generating kites to the offshore environment.
Working with Shell, Makani will devise a solution to fix its kite to a small spar buoy moored with a synthetic line and gravity anchor.
This system is possible as Makani’s kites are 90% lighter than turbines of a similar power rating and are also much smaller, according to Makani chief executive Fort Felker.
By replacing tonnes of steel with lightweight electronics and smart software, the overall levelised cost of energy is reduced, he said.
In order to adapt its energy kite technology to offshore environments, Makani will draw Shell’s engineering and operational expertise with floating structures.
A prototype of a floating offshore energy kite is planned for demonstration off Norway later this year.
Felker said Makani is also developing additional partnerships to help it commercialise its technology.