Performance assessment of a balloon assisted micro airborne wind turbine system

Abstract

This study intends to examine the performance of a balloon-assisted micro airborne wind turbine in a low wind speed location. The influence of the balloon separation gap on the airborne wind energy system (AWES) performance is also explored. A micro-AWES with a diameter of 3 m and a power output of 1 kW was fabricated and tested at 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 m. Further, the optimum separation spacing of 13 m was maintained between the balloon and the ducted turbine to reduce balloon turbulence on the turbine. The airborne wind turbine achieved a maximum power output of 250 W at 250 m height while the average wind speed remained 6 m/s. The maximum power coefficient obtained was 0.25 while annual energy production (AEP) remained 1200 kWh. The low power coefficient is credited to the turbulence and drifting in the airborne system and the drag caused by the airborne structure. While a cost-effective commercial model of micro AWES is still being developed, the present work attempts to harvest wind energy at high elevations in low wind speed areas.