Power to the airborne wind energy performance model: Estimating long-term energy production with an emphasis on pumping flexible-kite systems

The potential of utility-scale airborne wind energy (AWE) systems to contribute significantly to the energy transition hinges on their large-scale deployment, which depends on the cost-competitiveness and complementarity with conventional wind turbines. Central to the assessment of these metrics is understanding long-term energy production,...

Swinging motion of a kite with suspended control unit flying turning manoeuvres

The flexible-membrane kite employed by some airborne wind energy systems uses a suspended control unit, which experiences a characteristic swinging motion relative to the top of the kite during sharp turning manoeuvres. This paper assesses the accuracy of a two-point kite model in resolving this swinging motion using two different approaches:...

The Airborne Wind Energy Resource Analysis Tool AWERA

Clustering wind profile shapes to estimate airborne wind energy production

Airborne wind energy (AWE) systems harness energy at heights beyond the reach of tower-based wind turbines. To estimate the annual energy production (AEP), measured or modelled wind speed statistics close to the ground are commonly extrapolated to higher altitudes, introducing substantial uncertainties. This study proposes a clustering procedure...

Validation of the quasi-steady performance model for pumping airborne wind energy systems

The quasi-steady performance model (QSM) has been developed specifically for pumping airborne wind energy systems using flexible membrane wings. In this study, we validate this model using a comprehensive set of flight data that includes 87 consecutive pumping cycles and is acquired with the development platform of Kitepower B.V. The...

Airborne wind energy resource analysis

We compare the available wind resources for conventional wind turbines and for airborne wind energy systems. Accessing higher altitudes and continuously adjusting the harvesting operation to the wind resource substantially increases the potential energy yield. The study is based on the ERA5 reanalysis data which covers a period of 7 years...

Airborne Wind Energy Resource Analysis: From Wind Potential to Power Output

Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES) have different power generation characteristics than conventional wind turbines, which can not be accurately captured in the traditional power curve. One important aspect is that it can harvest wind energy in a much wider range of altitudes than conventional wind turbines. Theoretically also High Altitude...

Clustering Wind Profile Shapes to Estimate Airborne Wind Energy Production

Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) systems use tethered flying devices to access higher altitudes, typically up to 500 meter, where wind is generally stronger and more persistent. To estimate the Annual Energy Production (AEP) of AWE systems, the wind speed statistics close to the ground are typically extrapolated to higher altitudes, introducing...

Structural Optimization of Multi-Megawatt, Offshore Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Rotors: Identifying Structural Design Drivers and Scaling up of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Rotors

The knowledge about Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT) lags behind the knowledge about Horizontal AxisWind Turbines (HAWT), since most of the development of VAWT’s ceased after the 80’s. A lack of insight exists about how certain design parameters affect the rotor design of a modern VAWT. The objective of this thesis is to gain knowledge about...