I like anything that flies – I have few Prism kites, but this one (which I don’t have) does something really useful!
This one pulls a ship. An interesting illustration how this works, pretty simple and lame stuff, but more importantly it saves fuel, as much as 15-20% while the ship is in cruise, every pound of wind-pull counts [video]. Now that is interesting. Especially when the world is coming to an end – rising fuel prices due to depleting supplies. Just heard on radio, we have only 40+ years worth of petrol at the current consumption rate, 67+ years worth of LPG, and 100+ years worth of coal. WHAT! Yes it was shocking to me as well. I was taught in school that we are killing our environment by using fuel as if there is plenty, by pumping CO2 into air as if there is no tomorrow …but I never knew the end is coming so fast.
It feels good to see that lots of companies are doing their part in saving the environment, especially those who have larger carbon-footprint on this planet. Virgin Atlantic (+GE/Boeing) to fly 747 on alternative fuel this month. Amazing feat of humanity and aviation engineering. Maybe someday all airplanes, shipping, passenger cars, and machines will run on sustainable fuel. I hope so, I really do.
I am willing to do my part – waiting for the launch of hybrid cars in Singapore (Chevy models!), hopefully before my car runs out of its 10 year lifespan :)
Posted by ajayksh 
