One of the things you'll hear critics of renewable energy often say is that the sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow. But of course we know that isn't the case. If you go high enough from the earth's surface, the sun never stops shining and though no one has seen it, the wind is always blowing. We've talked about beaming the solar energy to earth before and we have even shown you this particular wind-powered energy producer before. At the time, some commented it would never fly but the maker of the Magenn Air Rotor System (MARS) has survived long enough to see it happen.

The blimp, technically called an aerostat, recently underwent its initial inflation trials at the facilities of premiere airship builder, TCOM, and was then taken to Virginia to be demonstrated for the CIA a customer. Magenn believes their balloon will be perfect for remote electricity generation at a competitive price and have plans to sail their device at four different locations in the next year.

[Source: The Daily Advance]

Take a look at this new airship from Aeros. The idea here is to combine the principles of propeller driven aircraft with that of the airship, like the infamous Hindenburg. That ship was able to travel at over 80 miles per hour carrying 100 tons with only 1200 horsepower. Of course, it also blew up. But modern technology can fix the problems inherent with the design of the old airship. Click here for an interview from Eco Geek with Ron Hochstetler, an expert on the subject of airships.

If you are still interested in the idea, why not check out this other post from Eco Geek on personal blimps. I'm not so sure that I am ready to commute by blimp, but I am certainly willing to read about it!

[Source: Eco Geek and Gizmag]