AWESCO · Project

Kite-Based Wind Power: Cheaper Electricity from Higher Altitudes Without Giant Towers

energyPrototypeTRL 4Thin data (2/5)

You know how the tips of wind turbine blades move the fastest and generate most of the power? Imagine cutting away the massive tower and heavy blades, and instead flying just that efficient tip as a kite on a tether. That's airborne wind energy — a kite flies fast crosswind patterns at heights where winds are stronger and steadier, pulling a cable that spins a generator on the ground. AWESCO brought together 18 European partners to train 14 researchers and build small-scale prototypes proving this concept actually works.

By the numbers

consortium partners collaborating on airborne wind energy

countries represented in the research network

Early Stage Researchers trained in cutting-edge AWE technologies

industrial partners including 4 SMEs actively developing AWE systems

small-scale prototypes built and tested

50%

industry ratio in consortium — half the partners are companies

The business problem

What needed solving

Conventional wind turbines are reaching their physical limits — taller towers mean exponentially higher material costs, installation complexity, and structural stress. Yet the strongest and most consistent winds blow at altitudes these turbines cannot economically reach. Companies investing in wind energy face diminishing returns from incremental turbine improvements and need a fundamentally different approach to access high-altitude wind resources.

The solution

What was built

The project built and tested two small-scale prototypes: a bridled rigid airfoil optimized in shape and topology, and a tethered wing prototype connected to a multiple AWE generator rig. Alongside these, the consortium produced 17 deliverables covering simulation models, control algorithms, and optimization tools for airborne wind energy systems.

Audience

Who needs this

Wind farm developers looking for next-generation turbine alternativesOff-grid power providers (mining, telecom, military) needing portable wind energyOffshore wind companies seeking lighter, cheaper deep-water solutionsUtility companies scouting emerging renewable energy technologiesDrone and aerospace companies with transferable tether and control expertise

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Wind Energy Development

mid-size

Target: Wind farm developers and independent power producers looking to expand into sites where conventional turbines are impractical

If you are a wind energy developer struggling with sites where tall turbine towers face planning restrictions, high foundation costs, or insufficient wind at hub height — this project developed and tested small-scale airborne wind energy prototypes with optimized rigid airfoil designs. The consortium of 9 industrial and 9 academic partners validated simulation, control, and optimization methods that could unlock wind resources at altitudes conventional turbines cannot reach.

Off-Grid and Remote Power

enterprise

Target: Mining, telecom, or military logistics companies needing portable power in remote locations

If you are an off-grid operator paying premium prices for diesel generators at remote sites — airborne wind energy systems developed in this project need no crane-erected towers or massive foundations. The tested prototypes use a tethered kite and ground-based generator that could be transported in standard containers. With 18 partners across 7 countries validating the technology, this represents a credible path to replacing diesel in hard-to-reach locations.

Offshore Energy

enterprise

Target: Offshore wind developers and floating wind platform companies facing deep-water installation challenges

If you are an offshore energy company facing escalating costs for foundations and installation vessels in deep water — airborne wind energy eliminates the need for massive substructures. This project's consortium included 4 SMEs and 9 industrial partners who built and tested optimized airfoil prototypes, generating research that could dramatically reduce the weight and cost of floating offshore wind installations.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would an airborne wind energy system cost compared to conventional wind turbines?

The project data does not include specific cost figures. However, the core value proposition is eliminating the expensive tower and heavy blade structure — the most capital-intensive parts of conventional turbines. Cost competitiveness will depend on further engineering and scaling beyond these small-scale prototypes.

Can this technology work at industrial scale for grid-connected power?

Based on available project data, the prototypes built and tested were small-scale. The project focused on modelling, control, and optimization methods needed to achieve performance required for industrial deployment. Significant engineering work remains to scale from tested prototypes to megawatt-class commercial systems.

Who owns the intellectual property from this project?

The project was an MSCA training network coordinated by TU Delft with 18 partners across 7 countries. IP generated by 14 Early Stage Researchers would typically be shared between the host institutions and partner organizations under the consortium agreement. Licensing inquiries should be directed to TU Delft or the specific industrial partners.

Are there regulatory barriers to deploying kite-based wind power?

Based on available project data, regulatory aspects were not explicitly addressed in the deliverables. Airborne wind energy systems operate in shared airspace, which means aviation authority approvals would be needed. This is an industry-wide challenge that several of the consortium's 9 industrial partners are actively working to address.

How long until this technology is commercially available?

The project ran from 2015 to 2018 and produced small-scale tested prototypes. Several of the 4 SME partners in the consortium are continuing development toward commercial products. Based on the prototype stage of the technology, commercial deployment likely requires several more years of engineering and certification.

Can this integrate with existing wind farm infrastructure?

Based on available project data, airborne wind energy systems use fundamentally different ground station equipment than conventional turbines. However, they could share grid connection infrastructure and complement existing wind farms by accessing stronger winds at higher altitudes. The project developed optimization methods relevant to such hybrid deployments.

What technical support is available from the consortium?

The consortium includes 9 academic institutions and 9 industrial partners, with TU Delft as coordinator. The 14 trained researchers now form a network of European experts in airborne wind energy simulation, design, sensing, and control. Several partners have ongoing commercial development programs.

Consortium

Who built it

AWESCO assembled a notably balanced consortium of 18 partners split evenly between 9 academic institutions and 9 industrial companies, including 4 SMEs, across 7 countries (Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, and the US). Coordinated by TU Delft — one of Europe's top aerospace engineering universities — the 50% industry ratio signals strong commercial interest in airborne wind energy. The presence of dedicated AWE companies as industrial partners means the research outputs have direct channels to product development. For a business exploring this technology, the consortium represents the core of Europe's airborne wind energy ecosystem, and several of these partners have continued developing commercial AWE systems beyond the project's end in 2018.

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFTCoordinator · NL
MOVELLA TECHNOLOGIES BVparticipant · NL
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHENparticipant · DE
ALBERT-LUDWIGS-UNIVERSITAET FREIBURGparticipant · DE
AMPYX POWER BVparticipant · NL
UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICKparticipant · IE
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNEpartner · CH
EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICHpartner · CH
HOCHSCHULE FUR ANGEWANDTE WISSENSCHAFTEN MUNCHENparticipant · DE
KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVENparticipant · BE
ENERKITE GMBHparticipant · DE
CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA ABparticipant · SE

How to reach the team

TU Delft, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Netherlands — reach out to the Airborne Wind Energy research group

Order a report on this consortium See TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore airborne wind energy solutions for your power generation challenges? SciTransfer can connect you with the right research partners from the AWESCO network.

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