China completes flight test for world's largest power-generating kite

The world's largest 5,000-sqm power-generating kite completed its first flight test on Wednesday in Alxa Left Banner, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, marking a milestone in the country's development of high-altitude wind power, according to the kite's developer, China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited.

The kite achieved full in-air deployment and retraction during the testing.

The trial tested a land-based high-altitude wind power generation system that uses kites to capture wind energy, then pulls the generators on the ground to produce electricity.

High-altitude power generation technology enables capturing wind energy from altitudes above 300 meters and turning it into electricity using kites as its core equipment.

"We have completed the first deployment test of the world's largest [power-generation] kite and successfully finished data collection, providing a scientific basis for the design of the kite assembly, which will lay the foundation for deploying a complete set of equipment and for setting standards," said Cao Lun, chief director of the kite-opening test.

At high altitudes, the wind blows faster, stronger, and more consistently. High-altitude wind, as an uncharted territory in new energy, bears great potential for further development.

"We will conduct multi-kite flight tests and plan to launch power generation trials at the end of next year," said Huo Shaolei, senior technical expert at China Power Engineering Consulting Group Limited.

China completes flight test for world's largest power-generating kite

China completes flight test for world's largest power-generating kite

China completes flight test for world's largest power-generating kite

China completes flight test for world's largest power-generating kite

China completes flight test for world's largest power-generating kite

Large flocks of wintering migratory birds were spotted foraging at a wetland park in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, taking advantage of favorable weather conditions after the last round of cold wave.

Various species, including wild cormorant egrets, spot-billed ducks, and mandarin ducks, stroll on the shallows, with their shadows cast on shimmering water, adding some vitality to the winter scenery.

Thanks to the continuous efforts of the local government on ecological conservation and restoration of water bodies, shorelines and wetland functions, the wetland park has become a stable and safe habitat for migratory birds.

The November-through-March window is the best period for birdwatching at the wetland park, when more than 100 species of birds wintering there.

Migratory birds in Jiangsu enjoy sunshine after cold wave