Airborne Wind Energy Resource Analysis

TL;DR

This study analyzes wind resources for airborne wind energy systems using ERA5 data, showing that higher altitudes and dynamic operation can double energy yield compared to conventional turbines.

Contribution

It provides a detailed comparison of wind resources at various altitudes and locations across Europe, highlighting the potential benefits of airborne wind energy systems.

Findings

Energy yield at 95% availability doubles with airborne systems.

Higher altitudes significantly increase wind energy potential.

European wind resource analysis supports airborne system viability.

Abstract

We compare the available wind resources for conventional wind turbines and for airborne wind energy systems. Accessing higher altitudes and dynamically adjusting the harvesting operation to the wind resource substantially increases the potential energy yield. The study is based on the ERA5 reanalysis data which covers a period of 7 years with hourly estimates at a surface resolution of 31 x 31 km and a vertical resolution of 137 barometric altitude levels. We present detailed wind statistics for a location in the English Channel and then expand the analysis to a surface grid of Western and Central Europe with a resolution of 110 x 110 km. Over the land mass and coastal areas of Europe we find that compared to a fixed harvesting altitude at the approximate hub height of wind turbines, the energy yield which is available for 95% of the time increases by a factor of two.