In an incredibly cool experiment, researchers from Delft University of Technology are using kites to generate electricity.

Scientists [...] harnessed energy from the wind by flying a 10-sq metre kite tethered to a generator, producing 10 kilowatts of power.

The experiment generated enough electricity to power 10 family homes, and the researchers have plans to test a 50kW version of their invention, called Laddermill, eventually building up to a proposed version with multiple kites that they claim could generate 100 megawatts, enough for 100,000 homes.

[...]

A kite generates power by pulling on a string attached to generators on the ground. When it has reached its maximum height, it is reeled back down to repeat the process.

It might seem a bit strange, but Google doesn’t think so - it has invested about £10m into similar technology to tap into high altitude wind.
More from The Guardian:

Thanks to Peter Harris for the tip!