Wind-generated energy is considered to have the greatest potential within
“renewable energies”. The success formula for the future lies in the
considerable improvement of the efficiency and availability of wind power
plants. To do this, they should be able to harness stronger and especially
more consistent winds, which are found virtually everywhere in the world at
higher altitudes. This requires wind turbines and Airborne Wind Energy (AWE)
technologies like cable-tethered kites and wing systems that access winds at
heights of 300 to 500 meters.
On invitation of the German Airborne Wind Energy Association (BHWE
Bundesverband Höhenwindenergie e.V.) the 5. International Airborne Wind
Energy Conference took place in September 2013 at the Beuth University for
Applied Sciences Berlin.
Over 200 participants from 21 countries discussed in 48 talks and 21 poster
presentations the current development status and the next steps for serial
production. Companies, universities, colleges and research institutes
presented the results and findings of their studies as well as first
demonstrators of the different AWE-technologies.
Welcome by Guido Luetsch Paneldiscussion
Starting on Monday, September 9th with a spectacular demonstration day at
the former Tempelhof Airfield, AWEC 2013 became an outstanding event right
from the beginning. Thanks to Enerkite we haven’t only seen an
AWE-prototype in operation, we also got the electricity to bake some
waffles. For the first time we could “taste” Airborne Wind Energy by eating
the waffles!
Furthermore we got the “feel and touch” of a gigantic 200sqm kite from
Skysails. The yellow and white Skysails-Kite gave a spectacular picture in
front of the sun and Berlin’s landmarks (TV-tower and Airport). But it is
not only pure size which counts: Rod Read, Ed Sapir and Pierre Benhaiem
demonstrated very well, how you can charge your cellular or lighten some
bulbs with smaller solutions. Last but not least NTS presented a huge model
of their unique track AWE-system at the information-tent.
