New research into Airborne Wind Energy Systems, moneyed by a significant EPSRC grant, seeks to harness high-altitude wind energy utilizing drones, aiming to get rid of obstacles in system stability and boost commercial viability, supporting the UKs net-zero objectives. Picture of a model Kitemill drone in action. Credit: KitemillDr. Duc H. Nguyen has actually received funding to research Airborne Wind Energy Systems, aiming to improve their security and performance for potential commercialization and a significant role in accomplishing the UKs net-zero emissions.Drones could be vital in achieving the UKs net-zero goals by collecting wind energy. Dr. Duc H. Nguyen, a Lecturer in Flight Dynamics and Control at the University of Bristol, has received a ₤ 375,000 grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to further explore Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES). By tethering a drone to a ground station, AWES harvests wind power at higher elevations than traditional wind turbines. The high wind pulls the drone far from the ground station, driving the generator, and producing electricity.This innovation can benefit the UKs energy sector by decreasing its carbon footprint, offering overseas and onshore versatility, and boosting the ability to operate in remote areas.To generate the most power, AWES must fly in complex patterns while subjected to strong aerodynamic forces. This plan produces an intricate system with delicate handling characteristics– a minor miscalculation could send the drone tumbling to the ground.This is the challenge that Dr Nguyen and his partners hope to fix during this task. By enhancing AWES security and effectiveness, he hopes the project will pave the method for AWES commercialization.Potential and Pitfalls of AWESDr Nguyen, from the School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering, explained: “Airborne wind energy has massive potential and is prepared for to create EUR70 billion annually worth of electrical energy by 2050. It is still an emerging innovation. In numerous cases, a trade-off has been made: new designs have been rapidly released for test flights before their flying attributes are totally understood. This has actually prevented lots of AWES models from accomplishing complete capacity in operation, leading to early termination of the program and hindering commercialization. This task looks for to address this difficulty through using bifurcation and extension methods.” Dr. Duc Nguyen with Kitemills founders, Jon Gjerde (left) and Thomas Hårklau (right), at the Airborne Wind Energy 2024 conference. Credit: Kitemill/Dr Duc NguyenThese numerical strategies have actually been successfully utilized in airplane dynamic research studies to predict hazardous behaviors such as pilot-induced oscillation, flutter, and spin.Dr. Nguyen concluded: “By changing existing methods with bifurcation methods, AWES can attain significant cost savings and improved performance that will eventually bring this innovation closer to commercialization.” In addition to the EPSRC financing, the job likewise benefits from collaborations with 2 leading gamers in the sector, Norwegian startup Kitemill and University Carlos the III of Madrid.Thomas Hårklau, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kitemill, included: “The initiation and effective financing of this AWES job is an important advancement in the renewable energy sector. AWES innovation, with its extraordinary product performance and greater energy yields, has the possible to end up being a dominant force in the energy industry. We are delighted to team up with Duc Nguyen and Bristol University on this effort. This task not just advances the UKs net-zero mission however likewise protects British proficiency in this emerging sector. Together, we aim to resolve existing challenges and pave the way for the commercialization of AWES.”
New research study into Airborne Wind Energy Systems, moneyed by a considerable EPSRC grant, looks for to harness high-altitude wind energy utilizing drones, intending to overcome difficulties in system stability and enhance commercial practicality, supporting the UKs net-zero goals. Duc H. Nguyen has actually received moneying to research Airborne Wind Energy Systems, aiming to enhance their safety and efficiency for potential commercialization and a significant function in accomplishing the UKs net-zero emissions.Drones might be essential in accomplishing the UKs net-zero objectives by harvesting wind energy. By improving AWES security and effectiveness, he hopes the job will pave the method for AWES commercialization.Potential and Pitfalls of AWESDr Nguyen, from the School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering, explained: “Airborne wind energy has massive potential and is prepared for to create EUR70 billion per year worth of electricity by 2050. AWES innovation, with its exceptional material efficiency and higher energy yields, has the possible to become a dominant force in the energy market.
