The DEM-AWE project has demonstrated the potential of airborne wind energy combined with storage through the Kite-Battery Energy Storage System (K-BESS), developed by Dutch company Kitepower. Field trials were carried out over 18 months, starting at RWE’s airborne wind test site in Bangor Erris, Ireland, where the system’s reliability and control systems were tested in challenging conditions. The integrated battery unit, developed with Greener Power Solutions, was validated during these trials.
Following this, the complete K-BESS system was deployed in the Netherlands with construction company Dura Vermeer, where it powered electric excavators and trucks during a riverbank renovation, showing the system’s suitability for construction sites and other remote applications.
The project also assessed the market potential for airborne wind systems in North-West Europe, identifying thousands of sites in Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands with tens of GW of possible capacity.
DEM-AWE, funded by Interreg North-West Europe, involved Airborne Wind Europe, Kitepower, Laminak Energy, Mayo County Council and RWE. The next phase will focus on commercial deployment of K-BESS systems for construction, quarry operations and island communities.
