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Electric power generation in wind farms with pumping kites: An economical analysis

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  • De Lellis, M.
  • Mendonça, A.K.
  • Saraiva, R.
  • Trofino, A.
  • Lezana, Á.

Abstract

The main contribution of this paper is to indicate the economical viability of a Pumping Kite (PK) system as an airborne wind energy approach for large-scale electricity generation. In our study case a 2 MW PK unit is compared to a horizontal-axis 3-bladed Wind Turbine (WT) of same rated power. The PK airfoil area corresponds to the area of the 3 blades, and the same aerodynamic characteristics were assumed. The PK capacity factor obtained is 45 %, compared to 31 % of the WT. Given conservative PK cost estimates we found the investment in a PK-based wind farm can be 74 % of that in a conventional wind farm. By adding 13 PKs to an existing wind farm with 21 WTs the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) practically doubles, whereas if each WT is replaced by a PK, the IRR is approximately multiplied by 3. We also show that PK wind farms can be economically attractive in locations where WTs are not.

Suggested Citation

  • De Lellis, M. & Mendonça, A.K. & Saraiva, R. & Trofino, A. & Lezana, Á., 2016. "Electric power generation in wind farms with pumping kites: An economical analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 163-172.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:86:y:2016:i:c:p:163-172
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2015.08.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Malz, E.C. & Hedenus, F. & Göransson, L. & Verendel, V. & Gros, S., 2020. "Drag-mode airborne wind energy vs. wind turbines: An analysis of power production, variability and geography," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    2. De Lellis, Marcelo & Reginatto, Romeu & Saraiva, Ramiro & Trofino, Alexandre, 2018. "The Betz limit applied to Airborne Wind Energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 32-40.
    3. Anny Key de Souza Mendonça & Caroline Rodrigues Vaz & Álvaro Guillermo Rojas Lezana & Cristiane Alves Anacleto & Edson Pacheco Paladini, 2017. "Comparing Patent and Scientific Literature in Airborne Wind Energy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-22, May.
    4. Jin, S.W. & Li, Y.P. & Huang, G.H. & Nie, S., 2018. "Analyzing the performance of clean development mechanism for electric power systems under uncertain environment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 382-397.
    5. Roystan Vijay Castelino & Pankaj Kumar & Yashwant Kashyap & Anabalagan Karthikeyan & Manjunatha Sharma K. & Debabrata Karmakar & Panagiotis Kosmopoulos, 2023. "Exploring the Potential of Kite-Based Wind Power Generation: An Emulation-Based Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-22, July.
    6. Trevisi, Filippo & Gaunaa, Mac & McWilliam, Michael, 2020. "Unified engineering models for the performance and cost of Ground-Gen and Fly-Gen crosswind Airborne Wind Energy Systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 893-907.
    7. Xiaomin Xu & Dongxiao Niu & Jinpeng Qiu & Meiqiong Wu & Peng Wang & Wangyue Qian & Xiang Jin, 2016. "Comprehensive Evaluation of Coordination Development for Regional Power Grid and Renewable Energy Power Supply Based on Improved Matter Element Extension and TOPSIS Method for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-17, February.
    8. Helena Schmidt & Gerdien de Vries & Reint Jan Renes & Roland Schmehl, 2022. "The Social Acceptance of Airborne Wind Energy: A Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-24, February.

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