Kite Energy

How?

A simple configuration could work like this:
 

In phase A, the kite is flown in a figure 8 trajectory to maximise the pull on the lines. This pulls the lines out from a spool, which is coupled to a dynamo, thus generating power . In phase B the lines are pulled back in again but with the kite kept still and also with the angle of attack altered so as to minimise the force needed to retract the kite.
Done correctly, phase A should generate approximately 5 times the power as is spent in B. Obviously, this is only one of many possible ways of harnessing the forces generated at the kite.

Why?

There is an enormous untapped energy resource in the form of wind at altitudes that is out of the reach of traditional wind turbine technology.
As you go higher in altitude, the average wind speed and consistency increases enormously, with average wind speeds at 10km in some locations reaching 100mph or 162kph. This is a very high quality energy resource.

Other Advantages?

Calculations suggest that kite energy will be cheaper than any other form of electricity generation, including coal/thermal.
Visual impact is reduced.
Ground area required per MW is more than 50 times less than with wind turbines.

Won't they fall out of the sky when the wind drops?

No. By retracting the kite, enough apparent wind is created at the kite to keep it flying stably.

Won't they crash into planes?

Ideally a no fly zone would be implemented around kite power stations, in the same way as above nuclear installations. However the kites are actively controlled and as long as the installation is radar equipped, a stray plane should be avoidable.

Won't they kill more birds than wind turbines?

No. As kite technology matures, it will progress to higher altitudes, where birds are more scarce. The lines at lower altitude will be moving far more slowly and present a much smaller collision target to birds than wind turbine blades. The more efficient use of ground area means that any dangers to wildlife would also be more localised.
 

Why bio-inspired control?

Kite control for energy has a number of characteristics that make the use of bio-inspired control potentially advantageous. For instance, modelling the flexible wing in order to optimise flight trajectories and behaviours is difficult and computationally expensive. Using evolutionary robotics techniques could potentially produce controllers that can be trained on relatively simple simulations, but could adapt to a real world implementation. This adaptive capability is desirable in kite control to adapt for changes in the kite due to wear, failure or simply getting wet or iced up. Additionally, by learning through experience, once deployed, neuro-controllers could exploit real-world effects such as turbulence from the weather conditions, local landscape, or maybe even other kites.