Developed in tandem with Ireland’s key energy transition policies, the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Technology Roadmap is an advisory report that aims to guide strategic planning and policy development, outlining the pathway to harnessing Ireland's offshore renewable energy potential. It supports a coordinated government approach to maximizing the potential of each key ORE technology.
AWE is an innovative technology that uses kites and gliders to capture wind energy at higher altitudes, complementing conventional wind energy technologies, while also offering lower material footprint and flexible installation, suitable for remote and off-grid locations.
The Roadmap highlights the potential for Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) in offshore applications, noting that “airborne wind has the best long-term potential in Ireland if technology develops.” While the overall potential impacts are considered to be similar to those of traditional offshore wind, the report emphasizes that AWE is still in an earlier stage of development and significant progress is needed before it can have a substantial impact on the energy system.
At the same time, incorporating Airborne Wind Energy in the energy mix can support Ireland's renewable energy goals. AWE enhances energy generation, reduces costs, and offers deployment flexibility. By embracing innovative solutions, Ireland can lead the global transition to renewable energy, achieving environmental and economic benefits and becoming a significant exporter of low-carbon power.
The DEM-AWE project makes the next step in the development of the airborne wind technology by demonstrating a battery-storage solution powered by a kite together with a market-entry pathway in Ireland, France, Spain and the Netherlands. The onshore demonstration is required to validate the technological and market prospects of AWE before transferring the system offshore.
Ireland's vast seabed and excellent wind and wave conditions offer huge potential for offshore renewable energy (ORE), essential for country’s decarbonisation efforts. Ireland aims to install 37GW of offshore renewable energy capacity by 2050 and become an energy exporter. Developing Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) sector can bring Ireland closer to achieving these goals, while also helping to replace fossil fuels in its own energy system.
The ORE Technology Roadmap, prepared by BVG Associates, with support from Beauchamps, informs about strategic planning and policy development of ORE in Ireland. Airborne Wind Energy is featured in the section dedicated to upper coming offshore renewable energy technologies (see pages 62-65). The authors of the Roadmap note the completion of the test site that was delivered as part of the MegaAWE project and also list the challenges associated with the roll-out of airborne wind in Ireland, including reducing costs and increasing efficiency, long-term autonomous operation, design optimisation, as well as scaling.
The DEM-AWE project contributes to solutions for some of these challenges. For instance, Kitepower AWE device has been fine-tuned for autonomous operation and the team is working on fully automated take-off and landing. Additionally, preparing a near-market ready AWE product will provide insights for energy capacity in Ireland, France, Spain and the Netherlands, while also building up testing and performance monitoring.
The Roadmap uses techno-economic modelling to project technology performance, including AWE, up to 2050 and reviews the policies and regulatory frameworks necessary to realise the full potential of ORE. Adaptable regulatory frameworks and government support are crucial for early-stage development and deployment of airborne wind energy and the Roadmap includes an indication that SEAI and DECC will monitor and review on an ongoing basis whether novel renewable energy technologies, like AWE, should play a significant role in Ireland’s energy mix. Additionally, the Roadmap highlights the need for targeted research and skills development to optimise AWE performance and integrate it with existing energy systems.
Overall, the Roadmap provides a promising indication for development opportunities for airborne wind energy in Ireland and has been welcomed by the DEM-AWE project partners.
Have a look at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Technology Roadmap