DEM-AWE

To achieve the European energy transition targets, we need innovative renewable energy technologies that can adapt to new use cases and locations.  

Drawing on insights from the MegaAWE project, the DEM-AWE collaboration will showcase a groundbreaking application of airborne wind energy (AWE) that’s nearing market readiness: a kite-powered battery energy storage system (K-BESS). This mobile renewable energy solution has the potential to extend the reach of renewable energy to remote and off-grid areas, including islands, and to sectors like construction and agriculture that rely heavily on diesel generators. 

Additionally, a cross-regional demonstration of a first use case for AWE in Ireland and in the Netherlands, will increase investor confidence and broaden customer interest in this novel renewable energy solution. It will also help to diversify the renewable energy portfolio and offer an option to expand to more remote and off-grid sites in Northwestern Europe. 

Supported by the Interreg North-West Europe programme, the DEM-AWE project is a collaboration involving the Dutch airborne wind energy developer Kitepower, industry association Airborne Wind Europe, Irish specialist services company BlueWise Marine, French consultancy Laminak Energy and Mayo County Council, a local authority in Ireland.  

The demonstration will span a minimum of 18 months, led by Kitepower, deploying their K-BESS prototype capable of charging a 400kWh battery in 10 hours at the test site in County Mayo, Ireland and in Dirksland, Netherlands. Operational experience and stakeholder feedback from demonstration will help to refine  this renewable energy solution. Furthermore, this demonstration project will facilitate Kitepower, and the airborne energy industry, in initiating the development of industrial and manufacturing skills as well as local training programmes.  

BlueWise Marine and Laminak Energy will translate the lessons learned for their regions into a roadmap for the market introduction of K-BESS and other AWE applications in Northwestern Europe. Airborne Wind Europe will disseminate demonstration results and modelling findings and advocate for the integration of K-BESS and airborne wind energy applications into regional energy strategies. Mayo County Council will provide crucial community engagement support locally.