SkySails Power: Technology of Airborne Wind Energy Systems

SkySails Group

24 Nov 202003:59

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

🌪️ 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.

Outlines

00:00

🌬️ 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

💡Wind Energy

Wind energy is the process of converting the kinetic energy from wind into electrical power. In the context of the video, wind energy is harnessed at higher altitudes where wind speeds are greater and more consistent. The video discusses how Sky Sales Power is developing systems to tap into this abundant resource, which is typically almost twice as strong at 800 meters compared to 100 meters above the ground.

💡High Altitude

High altitude refers to the elevation at which something is positioned far above the earth's surface. In the video, higher altitudes are identified as areas where wind energy is more abundant, making them ideal for deploying wind energy systems. The operational altitude mentioned is between 200 to 800 meters.

💡Friction

Friction is the force that resists the relative motion or tendency of such motion of two surfaces in contact. The video explains that at higher altitudes, there is less friction with the earth's surface, which results in stronger and more steady wind, beneficial for wind energy generation.

💡Towing Kites

Towing kites are large, fully automatic kites used to harness wind energy. They are a key technology in the Sky Sales Power system, where they are flown at high altitudes and connected to a ground-based generator via a tether. The script describes how these kites are launched and used to generate energy through their movement.

💡Airborne Wind Energy Systems

Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES) are systems that capture wind energy using flying devices such as kites. The video highlights Sky Sales Power's AWES, which for the first time, can utilize the high-altitude wind potential on an industrial scale.

💡Generator

A generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. In the video, the generator is part of the ground station and is connected to the kite via a tether. When the kite flies in patterns, it winds the tether, causing the generator to produce electricity.

💡Figures of Eight

In the context of the video, flying the kite in figures of eight is a technique used to maximize the pulling force on the tether and thus increase the system's energy yield. This 'power phase' is a critical part of the energy generation cycle described.

💡Tether

A tether is a cord or line that connects the flying kite to the ground station. The video explains that the tether is extended to allow the kite to reach operational altitude and then wound back in to generate electricity.

💡Launch and Recovery System

The launch and recovery system is part of the Sky Sales Power system that handles the deployment and retrieval of the power kite. The script describes how the kite is lifted out of storage, positioned, and launched from the mast.

💡Control System

The control system manages the operation of the kite and ensures it flies in the desired patterns for energy generation. The video mentions an automatic control system that oversees the kite's flight at high altitudes.

💡Mooring Technology

Mooring technology refers to the methods and equipment used to secure floating structures in place. The video discusses how Sky Sales Power systems can be installed offshore using proven mooring technology, allowing them to be secured in water depths of up to 700 meters.

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.