Wind power is a pillar in the development of renewable energies, helping to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and combat global warming. In this quest for innovation, flying wind turbines offer a promising alternative to traditional wind turbines.
How flying wind turbines work
Flying wind turbines, also known as airborne wind turbines, are devices that capture wind energy at higher altitudes than conventional wind turbines. These systems consist of a sail, kite or tethered balloon, connected to a ground generator by a cable. The elevation of these devices enables them to exploit stronger, more constant winds, thus improving their energy yield.
Several flying wind turbine concepts have been developed, including rotary-wing, traction and levitation wind turbines. These are currently land-based, but we could perhaps imagine a sea-based flying wind turbine one day.
Advantages and disadvantages
Flying wind turbines offer several advantages over conventional wind turbines. Firstly, they can be deployed in areas where onshore or offshore wind turbines are not feasible or economically viable. What’s more, they can be installed more quickly and at lower cost, as they require fewer materials and less infrastructure.
In terms of energy efficiency, flying wind turbines are capable of producing more energy than traditional wind turbines, thanks to their access to stronger, more constant winds at altitude. However, this technology also presents challenges, such as the complexity of flight regulation and device control, as well as the need to guarantee the safety of people and property on the ground.
Projects
Several research and development projects are underway to optimize the performance and viability of flying wind turbines. These include the Altaeros Energies project, which aims to develop a captive balloon flying wind turbine capable of producing energy at competitive costs. Another promising project is KiteGen, which seeks to develop kite-based traction wind turbines for large-scale energy production.
Companies
Several companies are working on flying wind turbine technologies, each with its own concept and objectives. These include:
- Kitewinder, a French start-up that has developed a compact, portable flying wind turbine for nomadic renewable energy. This solution is particularly suited to isolated areas or emergency situations, where access to electricity is limited.
- Another company, Makani, initially backed by Google, developed a flying wind turbine with a rotating wing, which uses rigid wings to capture wind energy. Although the company ceased operations in 2020, its concept and research continue to influence the development of flying wind turbines.
- SkySails is a German company offering a traction solution for merchant ships, using a kite system to harness wind power and reduce fuel consumption. This concept could also be adapted to airborne wind power generation in the future.
- Finally, Ampyx Power is a Dutch company working on a levitation wind turbine system, in which an automated glider is used to generate energy by moving along a predefined path. This system offers great potential in terms of efficiency and sustainability.