Flying high on kite wind energy

Kite turbines known as Airborne Wind Energy Converters (AWEC) can be flown up to altitudes of 600 m to catch stronger, always shifting winds. This makes AWEC an exciting new option that could offer an alternative to height-limited traditional Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) and the visual impact of often-contested mega-sized wind parks. Collaborating with leading Airborn Wind energy technology developers, while the tech is still in its infancy with the biggest kite aiming to generate 600 kW, ENGIE sees great promise for AWEC onshore, but particularly for offshore floating applications. 

As Olivier Van Oost, Expert and Project Manager Wind & Hydro at ENGIE Laborelec, explains; “Traditional offshore turbines don’t like the tilting of buoys — but kites simply don't care about that.” Another advantage he adds, “Production requires 90% less material than HAWTs. What kite power tech needs now,” he concludes, “is performance upscale and long-term reliability.” 

With the ENGIE Group on the case, we can be confident that this will be achieved. Bravo ENGIE. Bravo ENGIE Laborelec – we are with you all the way, up and beyond, on this concept.

 See more at: https://innovation.engie.com/en/news/news/new-energies/flying-kites-airbone-wind-energy-transition/13623