Skip to main content

High-altitude wind energy from kites! - Saul Griffith

62,776 Views

2,660 Questions Answered

TED Talk

Let’s Begin…

In this brief talk, Saul Griffith unveils the invention his new company Makani Power has been working on: giant kite turbines that create surprising amounts of clean, renewable energy.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

George Pocock was an English schoolteacher and inventor of the "Charvolant", a kite-drawn carriage. Here's the official website of the Wright Brothers (the inventors of the first successful flying machine or airplane). Speaking of sustainable forms of energy, let's talk about biofuels. Are they the answer? Biofuels can provide energy without the reliance on environmentally harmful fossils fuels -- but scientists are still searching for a plentiful source. Craig A. Kohn demonstrates how cellulose, the naturally abundant tough walls of plant cells, might be the solution. Some argue that if we consumed less energy, we wouldn't have to worry about an energy crisis. What are ways that we can use less energy? Electric cars? Forget about the hybrid auto -- Shai Agassi says it's electric cars or bust if we want to impact emissions. His company, Better Place, has a radical plan to take entire countries oil-free by 2020.

Next Section »

About TED Talk Lessons

TED Talk Lessons are created by TED-Ed using phenomenal TED Talks. Do you have an idea for a lesson? Create it now using any video from YouTube »

Meet The Creators

  • Speaker Saul Griffith

More from Inventions that Shape History