How it works
Airborne wind -
your energy
straight from the sky
Pioneering renewable airborne wind energy - efficient. FAST. innovative.
Our airborne wind energy systems harness the powerful and consistent winds at high altitudes using large kites – tapping into one of the largest untapped sources of renewable energy. Operating at up to 750 meters above ground, these kites transform high-altitude winds into clean, sustainable energy. With the SkySails Power system, you can generate renewable energy anywhere in the world. Designed to use fewer materials, it’s easy to transport and quickly installed, making it the perfect solution for remote locations, off-grid living, and even regions prone to extreme weather conditions. Join us in driving the transition toward a fossil-free future and discover how this innovative energy solution can meet your needs.
STRONGER WIND.
MORE ENERgy.
Close to the ground, wind speeds are reduced by surface friction – at high altitudes, air can move freely and winds blow with full strength and consistency. This untapped energy potential offers a game-changing solution for renewable energy generation.
Depending on the location and time of day, wind speeds in high altitude can be twice or even three times faster than those near the ground. Since wind energy is calculated as the cube of its velocity, higher wind speeds can lead to an enormous increase in energy production: Doubling the wind speed increases energy potential by a factor of eight (2³=8), while tripling it boosts energy by a factor of 27 (3³=27)!
Our high-altitude wind energy systems operate at heights of up to 750 meters, where strong and steady winds ensure a high number of full load hours and significant energy yields while using minimal resources. Airborne wind energy provides a reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy solution that supports the global energy transition.
Power phase
The kite unwinds a tether of 800 m length from a winch in the ground station.
Power phase
A generator inside the winch converts the rotational movementinto electricity.
Return phase
While the kite returns in
a nosedive, the generator acts as a motor and reels in the tether, consuming only a fraction of the energy generated during
the power phase.
How our airborne wind energy system works
The Power Phase
As the kite soars into the sky, it pulls a tether from a winch inside the ground station, which drives a generator to produce clean electricity. The kite flies autonomously in figures of eight, which is the optimal pattern for maximizing the force on the tether.
The Return Phase
When the 800-meter long tether is fully extended, the kite’s autopilot gently guides it back. Only a minimal amount of energy is used to return to its starting position. Then, the cycle begins again— just like a yo-yo in constant motion
With every loop, our innovative technology generates renewable energy.
clean energy for every need and every site
Wind energy from high altitudes provides a dependable, stand-alone power source for remote areas without stable grid access, offering an economic and independent energy solution for sectors like industry, agriculture, tourism, and telecommunication infrastructure. Moreover, it serves as an environmentally friendly complement to existing renewable projects, such as solar parks and wind farms, through hybridization.
Built with lightweight yet durable materials, our airborne wind energy systems are designed to minimize resource usage, reduce costs, and streamline transport and installation. This enables us to reach locations that are inaccessible to other renewable energy technologies, helping to conserve the environment while delivering sustainable energy solutions.
advantages of Airborne wind energy systems
Less Material, Lower Costs
Our high-altitude wind energy solutions are designed to fit into a standard 30-ft container, saving up to 90% of the materials used by traditional systems. With no reliance on rare earth elements and no need for deep foundations, our systems significantly reduce overall costs and minimize the carbon footprint.
Remote Areas and Off-Grid Living
The SkySails Power systems are easy to transport and install, making them the ideal energy source for isolated regions without stable grid connections
Weather-Resilient
Easily and safely deployed in regions where extreme weather conditions – like typhoons – occur, as the kite is easily retrieved and stowed away before these natural disasters occur.
Scalable and Adaptable
Whether for small, localized energy needs or large installations with multiple systems – airborne wind technology adapts to different scenarios and locations, providing clean energy wherever it is needed.
Kite
Control Pod / Autopilot
Tether
Launch/Landing System
Towing Point
Control cabinets
30 ft container
Foundation / Tripod
Foundation / Tripod
MODULAR AND FLEXIBLE: THE PN-14
The SkySails Power’s SKS PN-14 system is our current generation of high-altitude wind energy systems. Its compact and modular design ensures efficient deployment in various settings, bringing clean airborne wind energy to wherever it is needed and making it suitable for all site requirements.
1. Kite: captures the high-altitude winds to generate energy.
2. Control Pod and Autopilot: ensure optimal and secure flight for continuous, efficient energy generation.
3. Tether: connects the kite to the ground station.
4. Launch and Landing System: consists of a slim aluminium mast which can be lowered to adjust, exchange or remove the kite.
5. Towing Point: guides the tether into and out of the ground station.
6. Winch with Generator/ Gearbox: convert the kite’s tractive force on the tether into electricity.
7. Control Cabinet: controls system operations, data processing, and ensures power supply.
8. 30-ft-Container: has enough space to house all components.
9. Foundation/Tripod: a simple three-legged steel structure mounted on small concrete plates.
10. Energy supply: to be fed into the grid, stored in batteries or consumed directly.
The SKS PN-14 offers a breakthrough in energy technology – delivering clean, renewable power to locations across the globe, from remote islands to urban infrastructure.
Technical Data SKS PN-14
Average cycle power / rated power¹
80 – 200 kW
Kite size (laid out)¹
90 – 180 m²
Operating wind range
4 – 25 m/s
Tether length
800 m
Tether diameter
14 mm
Ground station
30 ft container
( ¹ depending on site specific configuration)