via Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Researchers present a new software for the analysis of airborne wind energy systems
A group of researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has recently developed a new software aimed at the analysis of energy generation systems based on kites and drones. In a recently published scientific article, they used the software to study the behaviour of these systems while transforming the kinetic energy of the wind into useful electrical energy.
Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES) are a new kind of technology to harvest wind energy. The expensive and heavy tower and rotor of a conventional wind turbine are here substituted by a light tether and an aircraft (flexible giant kites or large drones), respectively. In the so-called ground generation scheme, AWES use the tension force of the tether to move an electrical generator on the ground whereas, in fly generation scenarios, the electrical energy is produced by wind turbines onboard the aircraft and transmitted to the ground by a conductive tether. In both cases, AWES present low installation and material costs and operate at high altitude (over 500 metres) where winds are more intense and less intermittent. They also present a low visual impact and their easier transportation make them suitable for producing energy in remote and difficult access areas.
“AWES are disruptive technologies that operate at high altitudes and generate electrical energy”, explains Gonzalo Sánchez Arriaga, Ramón y Cajal research fellow at the department of Bioengineering and Aerospace Engineering at the UC3M. “They combine well-known disciplines from electrical engineering and aeronautics, such as the design of electric machines, aeroelasticity and control, with novel and non-conventional disciplines related to drones and tether dynamics”, he adds.
Within this framework, the UC3M researchers have presented a novel flight simulator for AWES in a scientific article recently published in Applied Mathematical Modelling. “The simulator can be used to study the behaviour of AWES, optimise their design and find the trajectories maximizing the generation of energy”, explains Mr. Ricardo Borobia Moreno, aerospace engineer from the Flight Mechanics Area at the Spanish National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) and studying a PhD in the department of Bioengineering and Aerospace Engineering at UC3M. The software, owned by UC3M, is registered and can be freely downloaded and used for research purposes by other groups.
Along with the simulator, the researchers have developed a flight testbed for AWES. Two kitesurf kites have been equipped with several instruments and key information, such as the position and speed of the kite, attack and sideslip angles, and tether tensions, have been recorded throughout many flights. The experimental data were then used to validate different software tools, such as the aforementioned simulator and an estimator of the different parameters characterizing the state of the kite at each instant. “The preparation of the testbed has required a significant investment of time, effort and resources, but it has also raised the interest from a large number of our students. Besides research, the project has enriched our teaching activities, as many of them have carried out their undergraduate and master final projects on AWES”, comments Gonzalo Sánchez Arriaga, who teaches the Flight Mechanics course in the Aerospace Engineering Degree at UC3M.
A growing sector
Research activities and the creation of new companies related to the generation of energy at high altitudes, that is to say, at over 500 metres, by using kites and drones have grown significantly in the last few years due to the financial support from the European Commission and private companies such as Google, among others.
UC3M group. launched in 2015 thanks to a Leonardo Grant funded by the BBVA Foundation, is pioneering in Spain. Afterwards, it has been supported by the GreenKite project (ENE2015-69937R), funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, that is currently underway. “Our activities include the flight tests and the estimation, control and simulation of AWES”, points out Gonzalo Sánchez Arriaga. “In the project, an interesting transfer of technology and knowledge is being carried out, from the world of aviation, such as the flight test methods, to the world of airborne energy”, notes Ricardo Borobia Moreno.
Learn more: Renewable Energy Generation with Kites and Drones
The Latest on: Wind energy systems
via Google News
The Latest on: Wind energy systems
- Public forum set for Rivian’s plan to add wind turbine to Normal campuson June 22, 2022 at 9:23 am
The public can learn about Rivian’s plans to install a large-scale wind turbine at its Normal manufacturing campus during an open forum next week.
- How Betting Big On Clean Energy Could Save Europe $1 Trillionon June 22, 2022 at 7:59 am
A new study from Europe suggests that bold climate action can—and should—be viewed as a prime economic opportunity.
- SEMTIVE USA INTRODUCES WIND SYSTEM THAT LOWERS COST, IMPROVES ROI OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL RENEWABLE ENERGYon June 22, 2022 at 6:30 am
Semtive USA Inc. today introduces the Nemoi™ M wind turbine system, a vertical wind solution that radically lowers the cost of renewable energy for homes and commercial entities. Generating clean ...
- Global wind industry unites to address climate and energy crises ahead of COP27on June 19, 2022 at 10:02 pm
COP27 must be the moment countries come together to put renewable energy at the centre of climate action. This year, the Global Wind Energy Coalition for COP27 has convened to ensure world leaders rec ...
- GM Ventures Invests In Wind Catching Systemson June 16, 2022 at 11:35 am
Wind Catching Systems, a Norway-based startup that develops floating offshore wind-power technology, just announced a Series A investment round of up to $10 million led by GM Ventures. Additionally, ...
- GM Ventures Earmarks $10 Million for Wind Energy Technologyon June 16, 2022 at 9:10 am
In addition to GMV, current investors Ferd AS and North Energy ASA has participated in the round. New investors include the Bergesen family through Havfonn AS. The target for Wind Catching Systems is ...
- GM Invests $10 Million in Wind-Energy Start-Upon June 15, 2022 at 10:23 am
General Motors will invest $10 million into wind-energy technology through its joint venture arm. GM (ticker: GM) is putting the money—using GM Ventures, or GMV—into Wind Catching Systems, a start-up ...
- GM invests in offshore wind startupon June 15, 2022 at 6:18 am
General Motors' VC arm is the lead investor on a $10 million Series A funding round for Wind Catching Systems, a Norwegian startup looking to commercialize next-wave floating offshore wind designs.
- GM Ventures Invests in Wind Catching Systems’ Floating Multi-Turbine Technologyon June 15, 2022 at 5:47 am
Wind Catching Systems AS (WCS), a floating offshore wind technology developer, has received a Series A investment round of up to $10 million led by GM Ventures (GMV) to help fund the development and ...
via Bing News