In a new milestone on the path to commercialization, Kitepower recently welcomed colleagues from the RWE Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) test site in Bangor Erris, County Mayo, Ireland, to its headquarters in Delft, the Netherlands. The visit served both as a technical demonstration and a strategic planning session, reaffirming the strong cross-border collaboration driving the development of this cutting-edge renewable energy technology.
The Irish team, who have played a key role in field-testing the Kitepower system, joined their Dutch counterparts for a full-day programme that included a live demonstration at the site of Kitepower’s first pilot customer, a major civil infrastructure project that relies on electric machinery.
In a standout moment of the day, Kitepower’s AWE system was used to successfully charge the battery packs powering on-site excavators and tractors. The demonstration not only highlighted the system’s performance but also underscored its suitability for powering off-grid, energy-intensive construction activities, a critical application as the sector seeks to decarbonise.
The visit also marked the start of a new quarter, with both teams taking the opportunity to align on key objectives and upcoming trials. Discussions focused on showcasing the system’s reliability, adaptability, and potential to support clean energy goals in real-world industrial environments.
Despite some rainy weather, the day ended on a high note with a tour of the job site and informal networking over dinner and drinks, a fitting conclusion to a day of shared progress, innovation, and ambition.
Kitepower’s collaboration with the Irish test team continues to demonstrate the value of European partnerships in accelerating the deployment of Airborne Wind Energy. With successful field tests and a growing number of use cases, the journey toward widespread AWE deployment is gaining momentum.