Kitepower announces its participation in the DEM-AWE project, which aims to demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of the Kitepower Hawk, a kite-powered battery energy storage system (K-BESS). Building on insights from the successful MegaAWE project, K-BESS is designed to deliver clean energy to remote areas and industries that currently rely on diesel generators.

Expanding Renewable Energy

The DEM-AWE project will use airborne wind energy (AWE) to power a mobile battery storage system. This innovative approach has the potential to provide renewable energy to places that are hard to reach, like islands and rural areas, as well as to industries like construction and agriculture.

Partnership and Support

The DEM-AWE project is supported by the Interreg North-West Europe programme and includes a group of partners:

• Kitepower (Netherlands): The developer of the K-BESS technology.
• Airborne Wind Europe: An organization promoting airborne wind energy.
• BlueWise Marine (Ireland): Providing local expertise and support.
• Laminak Energy (France): Offering market analysis and consultancy.
• Mayo County Council (Ireland): Engaging with the local community.

How It Works

Over the next 12 months, Kitepower will lead the demonstration of the K-BESS system and continue its development of the Hawk. This pre-commercial demonstrator can charge a 400kWh battery in 10 hours, providing a reliable source of renewable energy. The trial will collect important data and feedback to help improve the technology.

Planning for the Future

BlueWise Marine and Laminak Energy will use the results from the demonstration to create a plan for introducing K-BESS and other airborne wind energy systems to the market in northwestern Europe. This will include using GIS models to identify the best locations for these technologies.

Airborne Wind Europe will share the demonstration results and work to include K-BESS in regional energy plans. Mayo County Council will help engage the local community, ensuring they understand and support this new technology.

The DEM-AWE project is a major step towards meeting Europe’s energy goals. By bringing renewable energy to more places and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, Kitepower and its partners are helping to build a cleaner, more sustainable future.

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