Giant Comets Generating Electricity: The Innovative Concept from Ireland
In one of the windiest and wildest corners of Europe, a team of researchers from the University of Delft is testing a system that could redefine wind energy. Its name is Kitepower and, instead of using the usual turbines on towers, it relies on giant kites to… The tests are being carried out in County Mayo, in the west of Ireland, chosen for its harsh wind conditions. “If it works here, it will work worldwide,” says Andrei Luca, project operations manager, who describes the proposal as a possible “game changer” for the energy sector.
The “yo-yo effect” that generates energy from the sky
The system uses a 60 square meter kite attached to a cable that winds onto a drum. The kite ascends drawing a figure-eight pattern, similar to a kite-surf sail, for about 45 seconds. This movement maximizes the wind force, generating between 2.5 and 4 tons of traction. The energy from this traction is transferred to the drum and then to a generator on the ground that produces electricity stored in batteries. When the cycle ends, the kite is positioned to reduce resistance and allow the cable to be reeled in using only a fraction of the energy produced. The process is repeated continuously, generating up to 30 kilowatt-hours per kite.
Advantages over wind turbines
According to its developers, Kitepower kites can be up to twice as efficient as wind turbines, as they take advantage of high-altitude winds, which are more constant and powerful. Another key difference is their mobility: the entire system fits in a six-meter container and can be transported by truck, without the need for foundations or towers. This opens the door to their use…
From Ireland to the rest of the world
After its trial in Ireland, Kitepower has started a pilot project in the Netherlands with construction company Dura Vermeer. There, the energy generated by the kites is being used to charge electric machinery in an infrastructure project. The ultimate goal is to bring this technology to islands and remote communities in the European Union that rely on imported diesel. The experience in Ireland has shown that airborne wind energy can offer a renewable, economical, and easy-to-deploy alternative. [Source: ]
