TheExplorer.no will become BusinessNorway.com from 30 March 2023.
See detailsTaking wind energy to new heights
Airborne wind is expanding the reach of renewable energy. Kitemill’s kite turbine harvests the energy of high-altitude winds.
The wind power market has taken off in recent years. In Europe alone, more wind power was installed than any other form of power generation in 2017. Conventional wind farms do, however, have their shortcomings.
The biggest challenge, according to Greenfish, is wind power variability and regularity – turbines cannot be built tall enough to reach the strongest, steadiest winds.
Concrete benefits
Kitemill’s turbine requires no other infrastructure than a grid connection. It has a smaller carbon footprint and is less intrusive to the landscape than a conventional turbine, and can be removed with few traces. The initial turbine models will be ideal for hybrid weak-grid and off-grid systems.
Market potential
Although in its infancy, airborne wind energy is considered very promising. Kitemill’s kite turbine could open up for wind power generation in new regions, as winds at altitudes over 500 metres above ground level are found around the globe. Installation of the turbine could be an alternative to repowering of old onshore and offshore wind farms, and may be suitable for use in floating offshore wind as well.
Kitemill’s turbine has demonstrated autonomous operation in all modes, and will be scaled up to utility size. The company is ready to conduct demonstration projects in new markets.
At a glance
Highly efficient kite turbine
Reaches strong, stable high-altitude winds
Minimal environmental impact
Status
Sectors
Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals
- Affordable and clean energy
Kitemill’s airborne wind turbine can help to expand wind power generation.