Here comes Kitepower Hawk, the wind kite with accumulation
Compared to traditional wind generators it can produce electricity more consistently, has a higher capacity factor, uses 90% less materials and is therefore easier to transport. Let’s talk about the wind kite with an accumulation of Kitepower, a Dutch startup that has taken over an old dream of the world of renewables: capture the winds at high altitudes for electrical purposes.
The first patents to exploit wind energy at high altitudes date back to the 1930s, but it was only in 2000 that the industry obtained the right degree of innovation and results, opening the door to a series of prototypes, studies, and dedicated companies. Since then, however, none of the many engineering proposals has ever really caught on among authorization problems, safety, or life cycle costs. Nothing done that does not seem to discourage Kitepower creator of an innovative wind kite system with accumulation.
Kitepower Hawk is the name of the product, was created to offer a sustainable alternative to diesel generators and allow the electrification of a wide range of sectors, from construction sites to agriculture, through small island communities. The system consists of a 30 kW generator and a 400 kWh battery pack.
Wind kite with accumulation, how it works
Energy is generated when the kite is flown in an eight-way pattern using the transverse wind to obtain a high tensile force and thus unroll the Dyneema cable. from the winch into the ground station. When the cable reaches its maximum length (350 meters), the profile of the kite is adjusted to be able to rewind the wire itself with a reduced force, using a small fraction of the energy produced in the previous phase. The ground station obviously contains the generator that converts the mechanical energy of the kite into electricity.
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The operation of the system, explains the company on its website, is classified as SAIL II (Specific Assurance and Integrity Level), which allows it to run in locations across Europe. A lithium-ion battery (NMC811) of 300 kW of power and 400 kWh of capacity stores excess electricity during peak production. “The Kitepower Hawk represents an important step forward for Kitepower,” said CEO Johannes Peschel. “The system is a perfect solution for small businesses in the agricultural and construction sector looking for a sustainable way to generate electricity […] it is easy to install, can produce electricity day and night, and is highly efficient”.
