How do AWE systems work?
Airborne Wind Energy is about to become a game-changing solution which allows accessing the large untapped wind resources at high-altitudes, above 300 meters, where the winds are not only stronger but also more constant, ensuring a smoother production of electricity. The most common technology of AWE is composed of a kite, tethered to a fixed onshore ground station.
Electricity production occurs in cycles, with each cycle comprising two phases. The first phase, called "reel-out," lasts about 80 seconds. During this phase, the kite ascends, drawing figure-eight to maximize energy capture. Then, during the "reel-in" phase, which lasts approximately 20 seconds, the kite is reeled back in by the ground station, which consumes about 20% of the energy harvested in the first phase. This cycle repeats continuously.
The flight path of the device (and hence force on the tether) is controlled, taking advantage of crosswind motion to increase the energy produced in the traction phase and minimise the energy consumed in the recovery phase.
Devices tend to follow either a helical or a translating figure of eight pattern. There may be more than one airborne element per ground-station (or foundation), with shared use of some components, enabling more continuous generation.
In the DEM-AWE project, the AWE technology developer Kitepower has developed a ground-generator pumping solutions. The main technological goal of the project is to reach a nominal power output of 30 kW and make the system fully autonomous and flying for 10 hours without any human intervention.
Kitepower flying over Bangor Erris, Ireland 👇
Other technology designs are being developed, such as flying-generator (the power conversion is embedded in the flying device and transmitted through the tether) and ground-generator rotary (multiple air foils kept in the wind through a lifter kite, in modular rotors). Find out more here about the other systems.
AWE technologies offer significant material savings: the kite and the tether weigh only a few hundred kilograms, while the ground station weighs about ten tons. This lightness makes AWE highly mobile and easy to deploy. Discover more about AWE advantages and benefits.
K-BESS application
K-BESS technology: The centerpiece of the DEM-AWE project
The DEM-AWE project is developing and demonstrating a cutting-edge airborne wind energy application called K-BESS.This renewable energy solution is a kite-powered battery energy storage solution designed to provide clean, scalable, and flexible power. This system is particularly useful for remote and off-grid areas, such as islands, construction sites, and agricultural operations, traditionally reliant on diesel generators.
As part of the DEM-AWE project, the K-BESS solution is undergoing rigorous testing at the Bangor Erris AWE test hub in County Mayo, Ireland. Over an 18-month trial period, Kitepower is operating the K-BESS prototype, which is capable of charging a 400kWh battery in 10 hours. This energy capacity is enough to fully charge an average electric vehicle 10 times. The test site in Bangor Erris provides a real-world environment, essential to validate the system's technical viability, gather operational data, and collect feedback from local stakeholders. These insights are critical for refining the technology and paving the way for wider adoption across Europe.
BlueWise Marine and Laminak Energy, two of the project’s partners, are using data from these trials to create a roadmap for the commercial rollout of K-BESS and other AWE applications across Northwestern Europe. Using geographic information system (GIS) modelling and market analysis, the DEM-AWE partners are identifying optimal deployment locations in Ireland, France, Spain, and the Netherlands. This comprehensive assessment will help to accelerate the introduction of K-BESS to the market, supporting the broader European energy transition goals.
The demonstration of K-BESS also lays the groundwork for building industrial and manufacturing skills within the AWE sector. Additionally, it contributes to local workforce development through training programs and by promoting the integration of AWE into regional energy strategies.
Through the development of the K-BESS solution, the DEM-AWE project is not only demonstrating the potential of Airborne Wind Energy but also creating the necessary infrastructure for its commercialisation.