Rapidly Deployable Trailer Mounted Airborne Wind Energy System

In this SBIR, Windlift proposes to develop a rapidly-deployable renewable energy system that can be towed by an HMMWV and provides at least three quarters of a forward operating unit"s energy needs in Class 2 wind areas. This development will be based on Windlift"s Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) technology, which has been previously demonstrated. The AWE technology utilizes a flexible airfoil tethered to a mobile base station to harness power from the wind. The technology in its current state requires an operator to control the flight of the airfoil using a fly-by-wire interface. One of the key technical innovations of this SBIR will be the development of an automated control system that permits unattended operation. Another key innovation will be the development of a new control paradigm for the AWE system that enables a smaller and lighter footprint while increasing the power output. The proposed AWE system will have a rated capacity of 23 kW and will be coupled to a 40 kW-hr battery pack. Both the system and the battery will be mounted to an LTT trailer that is towable by an HMMWV. The system will be hybridized with a 5 kW generator to ensure reliable power delivery.