How Airborne Wind Energy Systems Work

Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWESs) are innovative devices designed to capture wind energy using flying platforms.

AWESs are being explored by various companies and researchers as a means to harness wind energy.

Research and development efforts continue to improve the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of AWESs.

Different designs and configurations exist for AWESs, and and not all systems work the same way.

AWESs typically involve a flying object, here in referred to as the aircraft, connected to the ground through a tether.

This converts the aircraft's kinetic energy into electricity.

Here's a step-by-step overview of how an Airborne Wind Energy System may work:

1.???? Launch

The AWES is typically launched from the ground or a platform.

This can be achieved using various methods, such as manual launch or automated systems.

The aircraft ascends into the air.

2.???? Lift generation

The aircraft generates lift through aerodynamic surfaces allowing it to reach higher altitudes where the wind is stronger and more consistent.

3.???? Tethering

The aircraft is connected to the ground station via a tether.

The tether serves multiple purposes, including transmitting electricity, controlling the aircraft, and ensuring a safe return to the ground.

4.???? Energy extraction

The key principle is to convert the tension in the tether, caused by the movement of the aircraft in the wind, into rotational motion.

This drives a generator, ultimately producing electrical energy.

·?????? As the aircraft moves in the wind, it experiences tension in the tether.

·?????? This tension is harnessed to extract energy.

·?????? The tether tension is transferred to a mechanical transmission system, typically a winch or a drum.

·?????? A winch is a mechanical device used to pull in or release a tether or cable.

·?????? The winch or drum is connected to a generator.

·?????? As the tension in the tether increases due to the force generated by the aircraft in the wind, the winch or drum rotates.

·?????? The rotation of the winch is used to turn a generator.

·?????? The generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction.

·?????? The generated electricity is collected and can be stored in batteries or directly fed into the power grid.

5.???? Grid Connection

- The electricity generated by the AWES is fed into the power grid, contributing to the overall energy supply.

6.???? Control

Control systems manage the tether tension, ensuring that it remains within safe operating limits.

Some AWESs designs may incorporate a variable-length tether, allowing the aircraft to adjust its altitude and the tension in the tether.

The control system can manage the tether length dynamically to optimize energy production and respond to changing wind conditions.

Various factors such as wind speed, direction, and flying object position are monitored in real time so that excessive tension does not damage the system.

As part of its safety features, AWES may include automatic emergency release mechanisms that release tension.

7.???? Landing and Retrieval

After the energy extraction phase, the aircraft is safely brought back to the ground for maintenance, inspection, or relaunch.

REFERENCE

1. https://www.movella.com/resources/cases/powerplane-an-autonomous-aircraft-that-converts-wind-into-electricity
2. https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-030-31307-4_63
3. https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-030-31307-4_63
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032115007005