SkySails Power: Technology of Airborne Wind Energy Systems

Summary

Skypull Power's patented airborne wind energy system harnesses high-altitude wind power with large, fully automatic towing kites. The system, consisting of a power kite, launch and recovery system, automatic control system, and generator, operates between 200 to 800 meters altitude. It generates electricity by flying kites in figure-eight patterns, then retrieves the kite using a winch. Capable of both onshore and offshore installation, it offers a scalable solution for wind energy production, with systems up to 200 kW available now and megawatt-scale systems soon.

Takeaways

• 🌪️ Wind energy is more abundant at higher altitudes due to less friction with the Earth's surface.
• 🔋 There is nearly twice as much wind energy available at 800 meters compared to 100 meters.
• 🪁 Sky sales power is developing systems that harness high altitude wind energy using fully automatic towing kites.
• 🌐 The Sky sales power system is patented globally and consists of five main components: a power kite, launch and recovery system, automatic control system, and a generator.
• 🚀 The power kite is launched from a mast and flies at operational altitudes between 200 to 800 meters.
• 🔄 The kite flies in figure eight patterns to maximize energy yield, which is then converted into electricity by a generator on the ground.
• 🔌 The system can be installed both onshore and offshore, including in water depths of up to 700 meters.
• 🔄 The retrieval phase of the kite's flight allows for the reeling in of the tether using a fraction of the energy generated.
• 🔌 The surplus energy not used in the retrieval phase is fed into the electrical grid.
• 🚀 Sky sales power technology is based on the proven propulsion technology used for ships, replacing up to two megawatts of main engine power.
• 💡 Systems with an output of up to 200 kilowatts are available now, with megawatt-scale systems即将推出.

Q & A

Why do winds blow harder and more steady at higher altitudes?

Winds blow harder and more steady at higher altitudes due to the lack of friction with the earth's surface.

How much more wind energy is available at 800 meters compared to 100 meters?

There is almost twice as much wind energy available at 800 meters compared to 100 meters.

What is a key technology used to generate energy from high altitude wind?

A key technology used to generate energy from high altitude wind is large and fully automatic towing kites.

What is SkySails Power and how does it relate to wind energy systems?

SkySails Power is developing wind energy systems based on their well-known technology, allowing the use of the enormous energy potential of high winds on an industrial scale.

What are the five main components of the SkySails Power system?

The five main components of the SkySails Power system are: a free-flying power kite on a tether, a launch and recovery system, an automatic control system, and a generator for producing electrical energy in a rotating ground station.

How does the power kite take off in the SkySails Power system?

For takeoff, the folded power kite is lifted out of storage, positioned to take off height at the launch and landing mast, and then launched after the inflowing air unfolds the kite to its full size.

What is the operational altitude of the kite in the SkySails Power system?

The operational altitude of the kite in the SkySails Power system is between 200 to 800 meters.

How does the kite generate energy in the SkySails Power system?

The kite unwinds the tether from the winch connected to a power generator to generate energy. To increase the pulling force and the system's energy yield, the kite is flown in figures of eight during the power phase.

What happens during the retrieval phase of the SkySails Power system?

During the retrieval phase, the power kite is flown to a position that creates a low pulling force, the generator acts as a motor and recoils the tether, and the remaining energy surplus feeds into the grid.

How is the power kite landed in the SkySails Power system?

For landing, the winch retracts the tether completely, and the power kite is docked to the launch and landing mast, reefed, lowered at the mast, and then stowed away.

Where can the SkySails Power system be installed and what is its application in terms of water depth?

The SkySails Power system can be installed on shore in mobile or fixed installations and offshore on conventional or floating foundations, allowing the turbines to be secured in greater water depths of up to 700 meters using proven mooring technology.

What is the current output capacity of mobile SkySails Power systems and what is expected in the near future?

Mobile SkySails Power systems with an output of up to 200 kilowatts are available today, and systems with capacities in the megawatt range will be available to order shortly.