Airborne Wind Energy: Empowering communities through PURE & local engagement
ARE Member Airborne Wind Europe (AWEU), the European association representing the Airborne Wind Energy sector, continues to promote its objective to advance efficient use of renewable energy and community engagement. By driving innovative solutions, the sector aims, on one hand, delivering clean and reliable energy to remote and off-grid areas, and, on the other hand, contributing to both economic and social development.
By leveraging high-altitude winds with minimal material use, AWE systems provide cost-effective and scalable solutions that can power small businesses, agricultural activities, and essential services, enhancing the resilience of local communities.
SkySails brings Airborne Wind Energy to Taiwan: Providing clean energy to local communities
Our German member, SkySails Power, is set to deploy Asia’s first AWE system in Taiwan, aligning with the country’s energy transition and sustainability goals. This initiative, in partnership with AiSails Power Inc. (a Wistron subsidiary), will demonstrate the potential of AWE to provide stable and decentralised power for communities, especially in remote areas with limited grid access.
The deployment of the SkySails PN-14 system at Taipower’s Changbin Photovoltaic Field highlights how AWE can ensure energy security and empowering local populations by supporting essential services with reliable electricity.
EnerKíte’s mobile ground station: Enabling energy access for remote communities
Berlin-based AWE company, EnerKíte, has successfully tested its mobile ground station, achieving rapid deployment in just 7 minutes without the need for a crane. This mobility and ease of installation make AWE a highly adaptable solution for communities in off-grid and disaster-prone areas, where traditional wind development is challenging.
By significantly reducing deployment time and costs, EnerKíte’s innovation ensures that clean energy can be quickly mobilized to support water pumping, refrigeration, and local enterprises, fostering sustainable economic growth in remote regions.
Kitepower’s battery integration: Boosting energy reliability and local employment
At the Bangor Erris test site in County Mayo, Ireland, Kitepower, in collaboration with the DEM-AWE project, has successfully completed the first flight of the 30 kW K-BESS Hawk system, integrated with a Greener Power Solutions battery. This milestone marks a major advancement in AWE’s ability to provide continuous and reliable energy storage, crucial for community resilience.
Even in low wind conditions (4–5 m/s), the system demonstrated remarkable efficiency, maintaining steady altitude and generating enough electricity to charge the battery. This capability ensures that local communities can access uninterrupted power for essential applications even during periods of low wind availability.
In addition, since early 2024, Kitepower has hired three local colleagues, strengthening community engagement and reducing the need to bring in operators from its headquarters in the Netherlands.
AWEU’s commitment to sustainable development
Airborne Wind Energy presents a transformative opportunity to address energy access challenges, particularly in regions where conventional infrastructure is not viable. AWEU remains dedicated to fostering Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) applications and strengthening community engagement by promoting policies and projects that integrate AWE into local development strategies.
As commercialisation approaches, key AWEU members, who are also part of ARE, such as SkySails Power and EnerKíte, and, on the other hand, Kitepower, continue to drive technological advancements and real-world implementations, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable energy future.
For more insights:
- Read AWEU’s Position Paper on AWE in the Clean Industrial Deal
- Explore AWEU´s 2-pager: Airborne Wind Energy for Islands