Airborne wind energy (AWE) offers a solution to the land constraints of traditional wind turbines. Companies like Kitepower are developing systems that use kites on a string to generate electricity. These kites are more nimble and can provide a constant energy supply, harnessing the steady winds at higher altitudes. Kitepower’s 40-kilowatt Hawk system is designed to power sites that would otherwise rely on polluting diesel generators, such as temporary microgrids or remote locations. The kite flies in a figure-eight pattern, generating electricity as the winds pull at its tether. The system can be assembled quickly and includes a 400 kWh battery for energy storage. AWE has faced challenges in the past, with Google’s Makani project being grounded due to high costs. However, recent advancements, like the German company SkySails Power’s autonomous AWE system, indicate a shift in favor of this technology. Kitepower’s Hawk is undergoing final tests, and the company plans to launch a larger 100-kilowatt AWE system called the Falcon in the future. AWE has the potential to tap into immense wind energy resources and could be an alternative for temporary or off-grid locations that currently rely on diesel generators
https://spectrum.ieee.org/micro-wind-power-kitepower