Systems in Transition · NEON closing symposium · Wednesday 9 December 2026 · Next Nature Museum (the former Evoluon), Eindhoven Programme · registration opens soon →
New Energy and mobility Outlook for the Netherlands

Research / Energy technology / WP1a

WP1a · Energy technology

Airborne wind energy

In the project plan: Breakthrough technologies for sustainable energy supply - wind

Airborne wind energy harvests wind with tethered kites and aircraft that fly higher than turbine towers reach, using much less material than a conventional turbine. NEON set out to build a toolchain from wind resource to annual energy yield for the Netherlands, to model airborne wind parks, and to study their footprint, public acceptance and regulation, so that the integral model could test what this technology adds to a renewable energy system.

✎ draft

Principal investigator

Roland Schmehl
Principal investigator · Delft University of Technology

PhD researchers

Dylan Eijkelhof
Phd candidate | utility-scale airborne wind energy systems in wind parks · Delft University of Technology Helena Schmidt
Phd i social acceptance of airborne wind energy · Delft University of Technology Jelle Poland
Phd candidate | airborne wind energy soft-wing kite design model · Delft University of Technology Rishikesh Joshi
Phd | design framework for utility-scale airborne wind energy systems · Delft University of Technology

Other researchers

Dominic von Terzi
Co-investigator · Delft University of Technology

Partners

Ampyx Power logo
Ampyx Power
Kitepower logo
Kitepower

About this work package

Objectives

  1. Develop an airborne wind energy resource analysis tool and forecasting model.
  2. Develop AWE system performance models for full integration with the integral model of NEON.
  3. Optimize the operation of AWE systems arranged in wind parks, to minimize levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and profit of energy (LPOE) while ensuring reliable and safe operation.
  4. Optimize the joint operation of wind and solar parks for the energy scenarios proposed in NEON.
  5. Develop design methodologies for performance-critical (e.g. flying) system components.
  6. Assess environmental footprint (acoustic emissions, effect on flora and fauna, water) and public acceptance of AWE systems.
  7. Define regulatory framework for commercial operation of AWE systems for on- and offshore.

Activities

  1. Combine AWE resource assessment tool and system performance model to calculate annual energy production (AEP) for specific locations on- and offshore. Validate with existing measurement data.
  2. Explore potential of dynamically varying operational parameters to further optimize AEP.
  3. Refine park level aspects such as phase shifted operation, aerodynamic interaction, maximizing packing density, availability and impact of turbulence and extreme weather.
  4. Analyze the effect of large-scale AWE generation on the electricity landscape, particularly also how this breakthrough technology can be used to complement conventional wind and solar energy.
  5. Create design methodology for for flexible membrane wings, including bridle line system, based on coupled flight dynamic, aerodynamic and structural dynamic model of the wing.
  6. Develop a supply chain for major cost parts and their production, in particular for the flying components. This includes smart choices for durable materials and advanced manufacturing.

Expected output

  1. At least 5 journal papers describing the advancement of AWE for large-scale offshore energy generation, some co-authored with other WPs (M12x1,24×2,36×2,48×2).
  2. At least 5 journal papers describing the advancement of small-scale onshore energy generation, some co-authored with other WPs (M12x1,24×2,36×2,48×2).
  3. At least 3 journal papers describing the environmental footprint of AWE and public acceptance, some co-authored with other WPs (M12x1,24×1,36×1,48×1).
  4. At least 14 conference papers, some co-authored with other WPs (M12x2,24×6,36×6).
  5. Toolchain from wind resource assessment to annual energy output with focus on the Netherlands.
  6. At least 3 PhDs will spend more than 3 months abroad with knowledge institutions.
  7. At least 20 mentions of NEON scenarios in national newspapers or on television.

Text from the former NEON website (original page).

What the plan set out to do

Promises from the 2019 project plan, not results.

  • An airborne wind energy (AWE) resource analysis tool and forecasting model.

  • AWE system performance models fully integrated with the NEON integral model.

  • Optimised operation of AWE wind parks for minimum levelised cost of energy, and joint operation of wind and solar parks in the NEON scenarios.

  • Design methodology for flexible membrane wings, including the bridle line system.

  • Assessment of environmental footprint (noise, flora and fauna, water) and public acceptance of AWE.

  • A regulatory framework for commercial on- and offshore operation of AWE.

  • A toolchain from wind resource assessment to annual energy output, focused on the Netherlands.

  • At least 13 journal papers (5 on large-scale offshore AWE, 5 on small-scale onshore AWE, 3 on footprint and acceptance) and at least 14 conference papers.

  • At least 3 PhD candidates spending more than 3 months abroad.

  • At least 20 mentions of NEON scenarios in national newspapers or on television.

✎ draft

Publications and talks