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Schmidt, H.S. (author), Leschinger, Valentin (author), Müller, Florian J.Y. (author), de Vries, G. (author), Renes, Reint Jan (author), Schmehl, R. (author), Hübner, Gundula (author)Airborne wind energy (AWE) is an emerging renewable energy technology that uses kites to harvest winds at higher altitudes than wind turbines. Understanding how residents experience a local AWE system (AWES) is important as the technology approaches commercialization. Such knowledge can help adjust the design and deployment of an AWES to fit...journal article 2024
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Schmehl, R. (author), Rodriguez, Mario (author), Ouroumova, Lora (author), Gaunaa, Mac (author)Renewable energy for Mars habitats is of key interest for future crewed missions. However, the low solar irradiation and low atmospheric pressure on Mars pose serious challenges to exploiting these resources reliably. In this chapter, we investigate the technical feasibility of a soft-kite-based airborne wind energy system and its potential to...book chapter 2024
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Gaunaa, Mac (author), Rodriguez, Mario (author), Ouroumova, Lora (author), Schmehl, R. (author)Although technologically challenging, airborne wind energy systems have several advantages over conventional wind turbines that make them an interesting option for deployment on Mars. However, the environmental conditions on the red planet are quite different from those on Earth. The atmosphere’s density is about 100 times lower, and gravity is...book chapter 2024
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Bier, H.H. (author), Hidding, A.J. (author), Veer, F.A. (author), Peternel, L. (author), Schmehl, R. (author), Cervone, A. (author), Verma, M.K. (author)In order for off-Earth top surface structures built from regolith to protect astronauts from radiation, they need to be several metres thick. In a feasibility study, funded by the European Space Agency, Technical University Delft (TUD aka TU Delft) explored the possibility of building in empty lava tubes to create rhizomatic subsurface habitats....book chapter 2024
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Thedens, Paul (author), Schmehl, R. (author)Similar to parafoils, ram-air kites are flexible membrane wings inflated by the apparent wind and supported by a bridle line system. A major challenge in estimating the performance of these wings using a computer model is the strong coupling between the airflow around the wing and the deformation of the membrane structure. In this paper, we...journal article 2023
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Breuer, J.C.M. (author), Luchsinger, Rolf (author), Schmehl, R. (author)Inflatable wings are of interest for applications where low weight, compact transport volume, and easy set-up are important. Examples are unmanned aerial vehicles with inflatable wings, paragliders and softkites for sport or airborne wind-energy applications. In this paper, a new method of designing and fabricating conformable inflatable wings...journal article 2023
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Salma, V. (author), Schmehl, R. (author)Integrating the operation of airborne wind energy systems safely into the airspace requires a systematic qualification process. It seems likely that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency will approve commercial systems as unmanned aircraft systems within the “specific” category, requiring risk-based operational authorization. In this paper,...journal article 2023
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Eijkelhof, D. (author), Buendía Vela, Gabriel (author), Schmehl, R. (author)High aerodynamic efficiency is a key design driver for airborne wind energy systems as it strongly affects the achievable energy output. Conventional fixed-wing systems generally use aerofoils with a high thickness-to-chord ratio to achieve high efficiency and wing loading. The box wing concept suits thinner aerofoils as the load distribution...journal article 2023
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Porta i Ko, A.J. (author), Smidt, Sture (author), Schmehl, R. (author), Mandru, P.S.M. (author)Airborne wind energy systems benefit from high-lift airfoils to increase power output. This paper proposes an optimisation approach for a multi-element airfoil of a fixed-wing system operated in pumping cycles to drive a drum-generator module on the ground. The approach accounts for the different design objectives of the tethered kite’s...journal article 2023
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Cayon, O. (author), Gaunaa, Mac (author), Schmehl, R. (author)Soft-wing kites for airborne wind-energy harvesting function as flying tensile membrane structures, each of whose shape depends on the aerodynamic load distribution and vice versa. The strong two-way coupling between shape and loading poses a complex fluid-structure interaction problem. Since computational models for such problems do not yet...journal article 2023
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Sickler, M.V. (author), Ummels, B.C. (author), Zaaijer, M B (author), Schmehl, R. (author), Dykes, Katherine (author)Layout optimisation is essential for improving the overall performance of offshore wind farms. During the past 15 years, the use of yield optimisation algorithms has resulted in a transition from regular to more irregular farm layouts. However, since the layout affects many factors, yield optimisation alone may not maximise the overall...journal article 2023
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Reuchlin, S.P.A. (author), Joshi, R. (author), Schmehl, R. (author)The majority of remote locations not connected to the main electricity grid rely on diesel generators to provide electrical power. High fuel transportation costs and significant carbon emissions have motivated the development and installation of hybrid power systems using renewable energy such these locations. Because wind and solar energy is...journal article 2023
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Poland, J.A.W. (author), Schmehl, R. (author)Airborne wind energy systems using flexible membrane wings have the advantages of a low weight, small packing volume, high mobility and rapid deployability. This paper investigates the aero-structural deformation of a leading edge inflatable kite for airborne wind energy harvesting. In the first step, a triangular two-plate representation of the...journal article 2023
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van Hagen, L.J.A. (author), Petrick, Kristian (author), Wilhelm, Stefan (author), Schmehl, R. (author)A key motivation for airborne wind energy is its potential to reduce the amount of material required for the generation of renewable energy. On the other hand, the materials used for airborne systems’ components are generally linked to higher environmental impacts. This study presents comparative life-cycle analyses for future multi-megawatt...journal article 2023
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Joshi, R. (author), Kruijff, Michiel (author), Schmehl, R. (author)In the current auction-based electricity market, the design of utility-scale renewable energy systems has traditionally been driven by the levelised cost of energy (LCoE). However, the market is gradually moving towards a subsidy-free era, which will expose the power plant owners to the fluctuating prices of electricity. This paper presents a...journal article 2023
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- Eijkelhof, D. (author), Fagan, Edward (author), Schmehl, R. (author) conference paper 2022
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- Joshi, R. (author), Trevisi, F. (author), Schmehl, R. (author), Croce, A. (author), Riboldi, Carlo (author) conference paper 2022
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- Thimm, L. (author), Schelbergen, M. (author), Bechtle, Philip (author), Schmehl, R. (author) conference paper 2022
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- Watchorn, J.P. (author), Viré, A.C. (author), Schmehl, R. (author) conference paper 2022
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- Buendía, Gabriel (author), Eijkelhof, D. (author), Schmehl, R. (author) conference paper 2022