Bangor Erris, Ireland – Kitepower, a Dutch firm spun off from Delft University of Technology, is pioneering a novel airborne wind energy (AWE) system on Ireland’s blustery western seaboard, marking the world’s first designated AWE test site. This innovative approach utilizes a large 60-square-meter kite tethered to a ground-based generator, aiming to revolutionize wind energy generation by harnessing high-altitude winds more efficiently and flexibly than traditional turbines.

The system operates autonomously, with the kite flying up to 400 meters and reeling back to 190 meters, akin to a 'yo-yo or fishing reel,' as described by Padraic Doherty of Kitepower. This motion generates approximately 30 kilowatts per hour, producing up to two and a half tonnes of force per turn, with the electricity stored in batteries. Currently, the system can fully charge a 336 kilowatt-hour battery, providing sufficient power for remote outposts, small islands, or construction sites, according to Andrei Luca, Kitepower’s operations head.

A chief advantage of the Kitepower system is its rapid deployment and mobility. It can be set up within 24 hours and transported to various locations, eliminating the need for expensive, time-consuming turbine foundations. This makes it significantly less invasive on the landscape compared to conventional wind farms. During January’s Storm Eowyn, which caused widespread power outages across Ireland, the system demonstrated its resilience by providing uninterrupted electricity before, during, and after the storm, Luca noted.

Ireland’s wind energy sector holds substantial potential, with the government targeting 20 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2040 and at least 37 gigawatts by 2050. While Irish wind farms supplied approximately one-third of the country’s electricity in 2024, according to Wind Energy Ireland, progress on large-scale turbine deployment has faced hurdles due to planning delays and grid capacity constraints. Mahdi Salari, an AWE researcher at University College Cork, emphasizes that AWE systems’ ability to harness high-altitude winds with minimal infrastructure makes them particularly suitable for remote, offshore, or mobile applications, potentially plugging gaps where traditional turbines are impractical.

However, Salari also points to challenges in regulation, safety, and system reliability that AWE technologies must overcome. Despite these hurdles, the flexibility and environmental benefits of airborne wind energy position it as a promising contender in the evolving renewable energy landscape. Experts anticipate AWE will contribute meaningfully to diversified, flexible, and distributed renewable energy networks by the 2030s, supporting global decarbonization efforts.