Demonstrating Mobile Airborne Wind Energy

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North West Europe

Date of latest update: 2025-09-24

Description

Description (EN):

In order to achieve the European energy targets, innovative RE technologies are required that can also serve new use cases and installation locations. The InterregNWE project MegaAWE has demonstrated the potential of Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) systems to scale up, halve the cost of wind energy and bring offshore wind to deeper waters. The development and commercialization of a 1-MW AWE system has been prepared, but the 5 years as required for implementation proved to be unacceptable for investors. DEM-AWE is therefore demonstrating a new application of AWE, much closer to the market: Kitepowered Battery Energy Storage System (K-BESS) in NWE. K-BESS is the first mobile energy solution that is also sustainable and can newly introduce RE to small off-grid communities and into economic sectors such as construction and agriculture. Furthermore, a cross-regional demonstration of a first use case for AWE will raise confidence and a broader interest in this new RE technology, with customers, regions and investors, and will help to diversify RE and its penetration to more remote and off-grid sites in NWE. The demonstration will be carried out over a minimum of 12 months by Kitepower (NL) with a K-BESS prototype pre-commercial demonstrator sized for its capability to charge a 400 kWh battery in 10 hours, with a utility in County Mayo, Ireland and a Dutch farmer (Dirksland) as user partners. With the operational experience gained and feedback from stakeholders, a reliable new solution can be produced. BlueWise Marine (IE) and Laminak Energy (FR) will translate the lessons learned for their regions into a roadmap for the market introduction of K-BESS and further AWE applications in NWE. Airborne Wind Europe (BE), the AWE sector organization, will disseminate the concrete results and validated perspectives and help introduce the new mobile and off-grid AWE applications in the regional strategies in NWE. The DEM-AWE project builds on strong local government support, with Mayo County Council (IE) as project partner, to reach out to local communities as well.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The DEM-AWE project had a successful first seven months from the 22nd of November 2023 to the 30th of June 2024. As the Project Partners (PPs) had previously collaborated in the Interreg NWE project MegaAWE, the team worked efficiently and effectively from the project's start date, delivering the first deliverables on time with a strong cooperation. Regular bi-weekly meetings, consistently attended by all partners, have facilitated prompt issue resolution, close follow-up of activities and productive discussions. Project management is a joint effort between the Lead Partner (LP) AWEU and Project Partner (PP) LMK, with an active participation from all partners. The bi-weekly meeting agendas are sent in advance, and minutes are prepared and shared afterward to ensure a good level of communication between all PPs. KPW's kite testing is progressing as planned in schedule and budget, even ahead of the calendar in some areas, such as preparing for extended flight times in the next phase. KPW is also handling the procurement and commissioning of the battery system, keeping all partners updated on progress during meetings. The successful testing suggests that the K-BESS could be market-ready by early 2025. Next phase consists of the alpha testing of the K-BESS solution at the Bangor Erris test site in Mayo, Ireland, from January 2025 with real conditions testing. The beta testing will follow in Period 3 with the operation of the device being handle by a potential customer (probably in the Netherlands). The project has focused on raising awareness about both the DEM-AWE project and AWE technology, which remains relatively unknown by the institutions and the public. A communication strategy has been established and is being implemented, with a communication team comprising staff from AWEU, BWM, and LMK. This team meets every two weeks, alternating with project meetings, to plan, prepare, manage, and track communication activities. The communication team has handled the website creation, the implementation and posting on the DEM-AWE LinkedIn page, the creation of the project poster and the preparation and dissemination of the press release about the project launch. The partners organized a webinar for Irish stakeholders and participated in the AWE sector conference AWEC 2024 in Madrid and the WindEurope Conference in Bilbao. Research is underway on stakeholder analysis, GIS-based site assessment for Ireland (with France, Spain, and the Netherlands to follow), country mapping, and a market-entry study. The consortium is confident in delivering all project results as planned in budget and time. The DEM-AWE project continued well throughout the 2nd project period from 1st of July to 31st of December 2024. Two deliverables were finalised: the Market Study Report (in two different documents, one analysis and one review of permitting process in different NWE countries) and the Site Identification Study (for the Netherlands and Ireland). The consortium continued with the regular bi-weekly meetings (alternating every week the overall team meeting and the communication team meeting), allowing for up-to-date communication and consistent planning of joint initiatives or dissemination activities. A1.1 Demonstrating AWE systems KPW continued testing according to its plan, with activities: > Authorisations from Irish Planners secured for night flights (10 night flights until the end of 2024) : extension of the flight window from 8:00 - 18:00 to 8:00 - 23:00 > Preparation of alpha testing operation to happen early Q1 2025 > Shipping and commissioning of battery storage system in RWE test site in Bangor Erris, Risk Assessment and Mitigation studies with RWE on the battery installation > Two flight tests per week were delivered on average, taking into consideration the rough weather conditions in Ireland this winter with several storms hitting the country > Hiring and training of 3 local operator Development a training programme that can be realised in one month for the flight operators. The training represents circa 8 to 9 flight Discussions with local association Darkside on visual pollution of AWE syst Buying of RWE LIDAR for wind data measurement > Extension of permits for flying secured with the Irish Aviation Authority until 21st of February 2025 A1.2 Market Study > The Site Identification Study and associated GIS-models for Ireland and Netherlands were finalised > The GIS models for Spain and France have been prepared > The Market Study Report was finalised, with one analysis and one permitting process review A1.4 Raising awareness about AWE The PPs have participated to the activities below: > WindEnergy Hamburg event, booth and "sitting and talking" sessions about AWE in Hambourg, Germany. Presentations were made by KPW and AWEU (20-25 people) > Interreg NWE annual event booth and pitch session in Dublin Ireland (20-30 people). KPW, BWM and LMK has participated to the event. > Presentation at the Energy Summit in Ireland by BWM (30-40 people) > Submission of an abstract on the market study and GIS models at the WindEurope 2025 annual conference that will take place in Copenhagen in April 2025 > Regular posting on LinkedIn and associated blog posts on the DEM-AWE website. > Preparation and print of a project brochure and roll-u Discussions for integration of AWE into the Mayo County Renewable Energy strategy > Preparation of two animations: one for KPW technology and focusing on the construction market target and one presenting the project that will be issued in Q1 2025 > Realisation of an illustration about noise measurement at RWE test site following a study on noise measurement. The consortium continues to be confident in delivering all project results as planned in budget and time. The PPs have faced the withdrawal of BWM from the project due to a company strategic restructuration. Despite their withdrawal, the remaining PPs have re-organised to be able to share BWM's remaining tasks into the different activities, without modifications to the delivery of outputs and results. The project activities and especially KPW's demonstration has led to the launching of KPW rental programme: the rental programme is for 30 kW AWE device and associated battery energy system, for at least 3 months and ideally 6 months of rental. KPW will operate the kite, but they will also provide training to the employees. In addition, the partners have engaged discussions to prepare a new application for the call 5 of the Interreg NWE. The new project, DEPLOY-AWE has been submitted with AWEU, KPW and LMK being involved as partners and MCC as Associated Partner (but looking to be converted in PP if the project is accepted for Step 2). The PPs have been joined into this new iniatiative by two AWE solutions providers (SkySails and Mozaero), the Irish Aviation Authority, WInd Energy Ireland, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, Windtest, RWTH research center. The DEPLOY-AWE application is inheritated from DEM-AWE actions and activity.

Project outputs: AWE mobile system testing in real site conditions(EN)
Route-to-market roadmap(EN)
K-BESS precommercial demonstrator validated in pilot operations(EN)
Website: http://dem-awe.nweurope.eu

Thematic information

Renewable energy Energy efficiency

Priority: (VI-B_NWE_2) Smart and just energy transition

Priority specific objective: RSO2.2. Promoting renewable energy in accordance with Directive (EU) 2018/2001, including the sustainability criteria set out therein

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 047 Renewable energy: wind

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: Airborne Wind Europe

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 886217124

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE 0730 687 538 | Registry Number 0730 687 538 / Court of Brussels | ‘Transparency Register’ ID number: 613671330935-36 (EN)

Department: n/a

Address: Avenue de la Renaissance, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Department address: Avenue de la Renaissance, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Legal status: private

Organisation type: International organisation, EEIG

Website: https://airbornewindeurope.org/

Total budget: EUR 148 795.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 89 277.12

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 59 518.08

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Comhairie Contae Mhaigh Eo

Name: Comhairie Contae Mhaigh Eo

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 8F03186T

Address: Áras an Chontae, F23 WF90 Castlebar, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://www.mayo.ie/

Total budget: EUR 39 606.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 23 763.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 15 842.40

Enevate BV

Name: Enevate BV

Department: FLOS

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 928676740

Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL855140458B01

Address: Schieweg, 2627AN Delft, Netherlands

Department address: Schieweg, 2627AN Delft, Netherlands

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://thekitepower.com

Total budget: EUR 356 922.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 214 153.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 142 768.80

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Laminak Energy

Name: Laminak Energy

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 888952427

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR88900567975 | 90056797500025 / French SIRET RCS Quimper | EU transparency register 733854043769-74 (EN)

Address: rue de l'Iroise, 29000 Quimper, France

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Total budget: EUR 128 741.81

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 77 245.08

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 51 496.73

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Mayo County Council

Demonstrating Mobile Airborne Wind Energy

Partners and Projects info

Enevate BV

Demonstrating Mobile Airborne Wind Energy

Partners and Projects info

Laminak Energy

Demonstrating Mobile Airborne Wind Energy

Partners and Projects info

Airborne Wind Europe

Demonstrating Mobile Airborne Wind Energy

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Demonstrating Mobile Airborne Wind Energy

Project acronym: DEM-AWE

Project ID: NWE0300439

Project start date: 2024-01-01

Project end date: 2025-06-30

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 756 754.94

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 454 052.95

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 60.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 454 052.95. Co-financing rate, 60.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Testing plan
Report on lessons learned from Kitepower testing
Market study report
GIS models
Route-to-market report
Stakeholder analysis report
Outreach materials
Conference reports

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Programme Result Indicator:

PSR 1: Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across borders, Measurement unit: Organisations

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North West Europe

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-09-24

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

70 / 70 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

742 / 742 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Demonstrating Mobile Airborne Wind Energy

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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