Google Parent Cuts Offshore Wind Kite Project Loose

Google’s parent company Alphabet has decided that it will no longer invest in the energy kite developer Makani, according to Fort Felker, CEO of Makani.

Alphabet bought Makani back in 2013. Since then, the concept technology advanced from a 20kW demonstrator kite to a utility-scale kite capable of generating 600kW, Felker said.

In February 2019, Makani and Shell partnered to cooperate on bringing the energy kite technology to offshore environments.

The airborne wind-powered system completed its first flights offshore from a floating platform in the Norwegian North Sea in August 2019.

According to Felker, Shell ”is exploring options to continue developing Makani’s technology.”