What is the goal of MAKANI project of Google X – an R&D facility founded by Google?

Correct option is A

The MAKANI project developed by Google X focused on creating airborne wind energy systems. Specifically, the project aimed to harness wind energy more efficiently using energy kites—a form of airborne wind energy technology. The key innovation involved using a wing (or kite) tethered to a ground station. This kite could capture wind at higher altitudes, where winds are typically stronger and more consistent, thereby generating electricity more efficiently than traditional wind turbines.

The kite, which flew at high altitudes, was designed to act as a wind-powered generator, with the motion of the kite generating power that was transmitted via a tether to the ground station. This approach offered several potential benefits over traditional wind turbines, including reduced costs (since the structure of the kite is much lighter and simpler than a conventional turbine) and the ability to harness wind energy in areas where conventional turbines might not be feasible. MAKANI aimed to make wind energy more affordable and accessible, especially in remote or difficult-to-reach areas.

Despite its promise, the MAKANI project was discontinued by Google in 2020. However, the concept of airborne wind energy is still being explored by other companies in the renewable energy sector.

Information booster:

1. The MAKANI project was part of Google X (now X Development LLC), which is the moonshot factory of Alphabet Inc.
2. The energy kites used in MAKANI were capable of flying at altitudes of up to 300 meters, capturing higher and more consistent winds than traditional turbines.
3. The project focused on sustainability by providing an alternative to fossil fuels and making renewable energy more accessible.
4. Energy kites were designed to be lighter and more portable than traditional turbines, which made them a potential solution for regions with limited infrastructure.
5. The project also sought to reduce the environmental impact of energy generation by enabling clean, renewable wind power.

Additional knowledge:

• (b) Autonomous delivery drones are part of other Google projects such as Wing, which aims to reduce traffic congestion by offering drone delivery services, but this is unrelated to MAKANI.
• (c) Self-driving cars are part of Google’s Waymo project, which focuses on autonomous driving technology but is also not connected to MAKANI.
• (d) Expanding internet coverage with stratospheric balloons is a goal of Project Loon, another initiative by Google X aimed at providing internet access in remote areas.