SkySails Power: Technology of Airborne Wind Energy Systems
Summary
TLDRSkypull 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
- đȘïž Wind energy is more abundant at higher altitudes due to less friction with the Earth's surface.
- đ There is nearly twice as much wind energy available at 800 meters compared to 100 meters.
- đȘ Sky sales power is developing systems that harness high altitude wind energy using fully automatic towing kites.
- đ 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.
- đ The power kite is launched from a mast and flies at operational altitudes between 200 to 800 meters.
- đ The kite flies in figure eight patterns to maximize energy yield, which is then converted into electricity by a generator on the ground.
- đ The system can be installed both onshore and offshore, including in water depths of up to 700 meters.
- đ The retrieval phase of the kite's flight allows for the reeling in of the tether using a fraction of the energy generated.
- đ The surplus energy not used in the retrieval phase is fed into the electrical grid.
- đ Sky sales power technology is based on the proven propulsion technology used for ships, replacing up to two megawatts of main engine power.
- đĄ Systems with an output of up to 200 kilowatts are available now, with megawatt-scale systemsćłć°æšćș.
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.
Outlines
đŹïž High Altitude Wind Energy Potential
This paragraph discusses the phenomenon that wind energy is more abundant at higher altitudes due to reduced friction with the Earth's surface. It explains that there is nearly twice as much wind energy available at 800 meters compared to 100 meters. The key technology for harnessing this energy is described as large, fully automatic towing kites. SkySails Power is developing airborne wind energy systems based on this technology, which can utilize the high wind potential on an industrial scale. The SkySails Power system is globally patented and consists of five main components: a free-flying power kite, a launch and recovery system, an automatic control system, and a generator for producing electrical energy. The process involves launching the kite to an operational altitude of 200 to 800 meters, where it generates energy by unwinding a tether connected to a power generator. The kite flies in figure eights to maximize pulling force and energy yield. After reaching maximum extension, the retrieval phase begins, where the generator acts as a motor to reel in the tether, with the surplus energy feeding into the grid. The system can be installed onshore or offshore and is based on SkySails' propulsion technology for ships, which has been tested and proven effective in replacing up to two megawatts of propulsion power from the main engine.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄWind Energy
đĄHigh Altitude
đĄFriction
đĄTowing Kites
đĄAirborne Wind Energy Systems
đĄGenerator
đĄFigures of Eight
đĄTether
đĄLaunch and Recovery System
đĄControl System
đĄMooring Technology
Highlights
Wind blows harder and more steady at higher altitudes due to lack of friction with the Earth's surface.
Twice as much wind energy is available at 800 meters compared to 100 meters.
Sky sales power is developing wind energy systems based on fully automatic towing kites.
Airborne wind energy systems can utilize the enormous energy potential of high winds on an industrial scale.
Sky sales power system consists of five main components: power kite, launch and recovery system, automatic control system, and generator.
The power kite is launched from a mast and reaches operational altitudes of 200 to 800 meters.
The kite unwinds the tether connected to a power generator to generate energy.
The kite is flown in figures of eight to increase pulling force and energy yield.
The retrieval phase involves the kite being flown to a position that creates low pulling force.
The generator acts as a motor to recoil the tether, consuming only a fraction of the energy generated.
The remaining energy surplus feeds into the grid.
The power kite is docked to the launch and landing mast for landing.
The system can be installed on shore or offshore, including in water depths of up to 700 meters.
Sky sales power technology is based on patented propulsion for ships.
The technology has been tested on sea-going vessels, replacing up to two megawatts of propulsion power.
Mobile Sky sales power systems with an output of up to 200 kilowatts are available today.
Systems with capacities in the megawatt range will be available to order shortly.
Transcripts
it is a simple
fact due to the lack of friction with
the earth's surface
the wind blows harder and more steady at
higher altitudes
as a result there is usually almost
twice as much wind energy available at
800 meters compared to 100 meters
a key technology used to generate energy
from high altitude wind
is large and fully automatic towing
kites
sky sales power is developing wind
energy systems
based on the well-known sky sales
technology
for the first time the enormous energy
potential of high winds can be used on
an industrial scale
they are so-called airborne wind energy
systems
[Music]
the globally patented sky sales power
system consists of five main components
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
for takeoff the folded power kite is
lifted out of storage
it is then positioned to take off height
at the launch and landing mast
the inflowing air unfolds the kites to
its full
size until it is launched
then a winch extends the tether until
the kite reaches its operational
altitude of
200 to 800 meters
[Music]
the kite unwinds the tether from the
winch that is connected to a power
generator
energy is generated
[Music]
to increase the pulling force and the
system's energy yield
the kite is flown in figures of eight
during this so-called power phase
once the tether reaches its maximum
extension the retrieval phase begins
the power kite is flowing to a position
that creates a low pulling force
the generator now acts as a motor and
recoils the tether
this consumes only a fraction of the
energy generated in the power phase
the remaining energy surplus feeds into
the grid
the cycle then restarts
for landing the winch retracts the
tether completely
and the power kite is docked to the
launch and landing mast
the power kite is reefed and lowered at
the mast after which it is stowed away
the sky sales power system can be
installed on shore
in the form of mobile or fixed
installations and
offshore on conventional or floating
foundations
in this way the turbines can also be
easily and quickly secured in greater
water depths of up to 700 meters
using proven mooring technology to help
the readily available offshore supply
vessels
the sky sales power technology is based
on the well-known and worldwide patented
sky sales propulsion for ships
it has been tested in tough everyday
life on board
sea-going vessels and replaces up to two
megawatts of propulsion power from the
main engine
in favorable wind conditions with the
help of 400 square meters fully
automatic kites
[Music]
mobile sky sales power systems with an
output of up to 200 kilowatts are
already available today
systems with capacities in the megawatt
range will be available to order shortly
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