Kite Power Achieves 24-Hour Continuous Energy Generation

Revolutionary High-Altitude Wind Energy Breakthrough

Norwegian airborne wind energy developer Kitemill has achieved a significant technological milestone by successfully demonstrating 24-hour continuous operation of their tethered kite power generation system. This breakthrough marks a pivotal moment for the emerging airborne wind energy (AWE) industry, which aims to harness stronger and more consistent winds at higher altitudes.

How the Technology Works

The KM1 pilot system consists of a specially designed kite, tether, and ground station. During operation, the kite flies downwind in circular patterns, building up lifting force by pulling on a tether connected to a winch and electric generator at ground level. The system automatically seeks optimal altitude and wind speed, constantly adjusting to maximize energy production.

"We have a permit to set up five systems, plus equipment to set up two," said Kitemill CEO Thomas Hårklau. "The next big milestone is five hours of continuous operation, five times a week – showing we are flying with confidence, and not an ad-hoc operation. After a solid period of demonstration under these conditions, we will move to the 24-hour milestone."

Superior Wind Resources at Higher Altitudes

Research indicates that harvestable high-altitude wind power is approximately 4.5 times stronger than ground-level resources. Winds at higher altitudes become steadier, more persistent, and of higher velocity. Because power available in wind increases as the cube of velocity, doubling wind velocity gives eight times the power, while tripling velocity provides 27 times the available power.

AWE technology targets large untapped wind resources up to a half-mile above ground, where stronger and more consistent winds can be harnessed with lower carbon intensity compared with other renewables – generating greater energy yields at lower cost.

Market Potential and Future Projections

The airborne wind energy market is projected to reach around $100 billion by 2035–2040, with estimates suggesting cumulative global deployment could reach 5GW by 2035 and at least 177GW by 2050. According to Market Research Future, the AWE market is expected to grow from $1.22 billion in 2025 to $26.40 billion by 2034, representing a remarkable 40.76% CAGR.

Kitemill's achievement comes after securing more than €2 million in funding from Dutch investment entity Expanding Dreams, combined with smaller investors and tax relief grants. The company has already extended its flight endurance record, clocking five hours of continuous operation for the first time in May 2023 and surpassing 500 test flights through their KM0 and KM1 pilot systems.

Environmental and Economic Advantages

Airborne wind energy offers several compelling advantages over traditional wind turbines:

• Substantially reduces material consumption by up to 90%
• Replaces wind turbine towers with lightweight tethers
• Positive impact on overall costs, manufacturing, transport and logistics
• Lower carbon footprints and environmental impact
• Scalable from a few kilowatts to several megawatts
• Suitable for offshore repowering, floating offshore, mountainous and remote locations

The first commercial AWE systems are already competitive in markets with diesel-based power generation, with experts estimating AWE will reach parity with established onshore wind by the mid-2030s.

European Support and Global Interest

The European Union has shown strong support for this emerging technology through its Innovation Fund, backing projects like the €7.5 million Norse Airborne Wind Energy Project (NAWEP). Kitemill recently participated in discussions in Brussels hosted by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), focusing on the EU's updated renewable energy goals.

"2024 will be a pivotal year for Kitemill as we refine our technology and position ourselves firmly at the forefront of the Airborne Wind Energy industry," Hårklau stated. "By late 2024, early 2025, we aim to start simultaneous operation of multiple systems."

This breakthrough in continuous 24-hour operation demonstrates that airborne wind energy is moving from experimental concept to commercially viable technology, offering a promising solution for the world's growing renewable energy needs.