China sets new airborne wind turbine record at 4,000m this 747-sized helium blimp generates megawatt power from high-altitude winds

Date:
Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Description:
Chinas S4000 airship channels the wind to generate electricity at 4,000
meters above the ground.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter China has tested an airborne blimp called the S4000 It generates electricity from wind power at an
altitude of 4,000 meters The airship can move to wherever it is needed most
If you thought the age of blimps was over, think again. China has just launched a successful test of a helium-filled airship that is used to
generate electricity from the sky, and it could mean a return to the air of the skyfaring vehicles that went out of fashion almost 100 years ago.

According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV (via South China Morning Post ), the apparent world-first feat involved the airship ascending to 4,000 meters, generating power and returning to the ground. Measuring roughly the length of a Boeing 747 airplane, the craft is reportedly not far from being deployed on a wider scale. The goal of the vehicle named the S4000 after the height it climbs to is to harness the strong winds that can be found high above the earth, which it does using turbines strapped to each side of its body. The winds at altitude are stronger and steadier than those closer to ground
level, and any electricity generated is sent back to base using a long
tether. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Returning to the skies (Image credit: CCTV) By operating in the sky, the S4000 has a few advantages over traditional static wind turbines. For one thing, it can move to windier areas as required, allowing it to adapt to changing conditions or transfer to where it is needed most. For another, it means less real estate
is taken up on the ground, freeing up space for other uses and potentially reducing the complaints that are often directed at wind farms.

The S4000 was developed by Chinese firm Sawes Energy Technology alongside Tsinghua University and the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Previous models included the S1500 and the S2000 , which drew a combined total of 500 million yuan (US$74.3 million) in
orders, according to the SCMP. You may like This DIY off-grid wind turbine
has sailed past its Kickstarter goal A stratospheric balloon could become a high-altitude drone carrier, capable of loitering for weeks and launching solar-powered UAVs This 24-foot inflatable drone can fly for 10 hours but can probably fit in your car

The S4000 is far from the only recent effort to harness wind power. As we reported earlier this week, the Ventyra R1 portable wind turbine can be
folded up into a backpack yet provides 50W of power output, taking around 35 minutes to fully charge a connected smartphone .

Combined with the S4000 and the many other developments in the wind power industry its clear that a lot is being done in the world of renewable
energy. So dont be surprised to one day see blimps make a return to the
skies, this time in the service of generating electricity. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/energy-saving/china-sets-new-airborne-wind-turb ine-record-at-4-000m-this-747-sized-helium-blimp-generates-megawatt-power-from -high-altitude-winds


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