Does Google start full-scale flying wind generator `` Makani ''?

Google acquired clean energy company `` Makani '' for 2013 $ 15 million (about 1,825 million yen), and a flying wind generator `` Energy Kite '' under Google's secret research organization `` Google X '' Is being developed. It is reported that Google X has been recruiting more than 30 people required for Makani's project over the past few months, in order to start such Makani's project in earnest.

Google Makani hiring-Business Insider

http://www.businessinsider.com/google-makani-hiring-2015-12

Makani
https://www.google.com/makani/

The energy kite under development by Makani has a design similar to a small aircraft, and will operate at an altitude of 250 meters higher than a conventional turbine that generates electricity at an altitude of 100 meters. The higher the altitude, the more powerful wind pressure can be used, and the wind obtained at high altitude combines aerodynamics that enables more efficient wind power generation by flying round and round with kites connected by tethers Has become a generator.

You can find out more about Makani's energy kite by reading the following article.

What is the flying wind generator 'Makani' developed by Google? -GIGAZINE

Looking at the recruitment information of Makani , a large number of human resources are being recruited, including managers of various engineers such as aviation technology equipment, electricians, wind energy, construction and commissioning technology, manufacturing technology. Business Insiders anticipate that Makani's project will release a finished product, as there are recruiting occupations other than technical occupations such as sales engineers and marketing.

Makani's Google+ page has photos of recent prototypes etc. At this stage, it has reached a level that can realize 50% more power generation with 90% less material than conventional wind turbine generators That it is. The 600 kW generator is not large enough to hold in hand and is quite large, but still very small compared to conventional wind turbines. Wind accounts for only 3% of the world's clean energy, so if realized, it might mean that Google would have a share of wind power.