Could It Change the Game for Renewables?
What if reliable and cheap wind energy could be generated, stored and distributed straight out of a box? EnerKíte GmbH from Germany has developed a novel technology to harness the stronger and steadier winds at higher altitudes. At average to fair onshore wind conditions the kite-based wind power plants – or airborne wind energy converters – allow for capacity factors way above 70% while aiming to keep the cost of electricity below 5 euro-cents per kilowatt-hour. The combination of stronger winds at higher altitudes and the low design wind speeds of 7.5m/s enable capacity factors higher than offshore power plants at a lower cost. Distributed generation, storage and hybridisation with other renewables could all help towards 100% renewable scenarios.
By Alexander Bormann, CEO, EnerKite, Germany
The portable EnerKíte container, bearing the fully automated kite (wing), a launching and landing mast, a generator winch and integrated battery storage, is ready for use quickly. The principle of the EnerKíte is quite simple (see Figure 1). The kite flies a figure-of-eight shape in cross-winds using the currents above the boundary layer to unfurl the tether lines with optimal force and speed (phase 1). The tether lines are let out and power a generator winch on the ground. Unlike conventional wind turbines, only the ultra-light wing is placed at altitudes of 200 to 300 m (Figures 2 and 3). Once the tethers are fully unrolled, the recovery phase (phase 2) begins.
