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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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    2. 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).
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    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
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    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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