Turin, Italy – May 23, 2024 – Kitepower, a pioneer in airborne wind energy systems, today presented the results of its participation in the NATO DIANA energy resilience challenge at a Demo Day in Turin, which marks the culmination of the NATO DIANA Accelerator Program’s inaugural group of selected companies. Kitepower presented its mobile renewable energy solutions for dual use applications.

Kitepower was selected for the prestigious NATO DIANA Accelerator program from over 1600 applications. Through the program, the company has been able to further validate its revolutionary Kite-powered Battery Energy Storage Systems (Kite BESS) Hawk and Falcon for dual use applications. Kitepower has been working with the Dutch Ministry of Defense in the Netherlands since 2018 in various research & development projects. The NATO DIANA program has allowed Kitepower to significantly strengthen its mission readiness levels enabling the use of the Kite BESS to replace diesel gensets and reduce reliance on vulnerable supply chains of fossil fuels.

Highlights:

• Innovative Dual-Use Technology: The Kite BESS Hawk integrates airborne wind energy with battery storage, providing a mobile, renewable energy solution that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
• Operational Robustness: Program participation has enhanced kite design, modeling, and control, ensuring the operational robustness of the Kite BESS Hawk in remote and challenging environments.
• Scalability and Future Plans: Post-demonstration, Kitepower plans to scale up the solution to 1 MWh storage and 100 kW power, solidifying its leadership in mobile renewable energy.

Johannes Peschel, CEO and co-founder of Kitepower, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are extremely proud to be part of the inaugural group of the NATO DIANA Accelerator Programme. This opportunity has significantly advanced our mission to revolutionise off-grid energy with our mobile renewable energy solution. The support from NATO and the expertise we’ve gained have been invaluable in demonstrating the capabilities of our Kite BESS Hawk.”

Kite BESS Hawk: a game-changer for off-grid energy

The Kite BESS Hawk is set to disrupt the off-grid energy sector by offering a clean, mobile, and cost-effective alternative to traditional diesel generators. This innovative system integrates a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a kite for in-situ charging, eliminating dependence on fossil fuels. It presents exciting possibilities for deploying renewable energy in remote locations where temporary power or mobile energy storage is essential.

Addressing energy challenges in remote areas

Remote areas often rely on diesel generators for power, which leads to high costs, operational challenges, and significant CO2 emissions. While BESS offers an alternative, they typically require frequent recharging using fossil fuels. Kitepower’s kite system, seamlessly connected to a BESS, provides a sustainable and efficient solution.

Revolutionizing wind energy with airborne technology

Kitepower’s Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) technology represents a paradigm shift, with an 80% reduction in material usage compared to traditional wind energy systems. The technology’s scalability to at least 10 MW and potential for fully automated rigid-winged drones as kites highlight the future possibilities in renewable energy. Aligned with its go-to-market strategy, Kitepower has successfully tested a 60m2 prototype in Aruba, validating the system’s efficiency and scalability.