WHAT IS SKYFISH?
The complete system includes a lightweight kite, NASA developed controls and a ground-based electricity generator station that produces 2000 watts. The kite is controlled by 2 lines tethered to a base station and is steered in a high wind zone and ‘pulls’ on the generation system producing electricity as the lines are extended. Once fully extended, the kite is steered to low wind zones and the lines are reeled in until the cycle can repeat.
Market: The ‘off-grid’ market is the population living beyond the reach of infrastructure: the ‘wires’ that deliver electricity. Communities are not waiting for the wire infrastructure to arrive. They’re leapfrogging with new technology in off-grid solar/wind hybrid electricity systems. Here, SKYFISH is a perfect fit as it provides power at a lower cost than solar or traditional wind turbines. Our customers are change agents that are currently retailing off-grid solutions and include private enterprise, micro-distributors, aid agencies and community members.
Operations: SKYFISH will be packaged in kits with the final assembly completed in local African regions. Most components are ‘off-the-shelf’ and will be sourced from global suppliers. Not only are we powering off-grid communities with SKYFISH. STRATODYNAMICS is empowering the population by locating manufacturing inside SSA.
Measure of Efficiency: Since the wind energy kite can be operated at higher altitudes than tower-based wind turbines, it’s able to harness more wind energy. We expect the kite will operate at 100 m versus 18 m for an equivalent 2 kW tower-based wind turbine. As a result, SKYFISH’s capacity factor (measure of efficiency) will be higher than a similar sized wind turbine. Note, the unit’s performance will be proven during the product R&D phase.
