Kitepower

Did you spot our special orange-blue 40 m2 Kite? 🪁

There was so much energy at this year’s Maker Faire Delft! It was great to introduce so many visitors to Airborne Wind Energy and what it takes to get our kites in the air.

The Maker Faire is an event full of creativity, technology, and innovation. From futuristic technologies to sustainable innovations, there was so much to discover!

From young to old, with or without a technical background, it was amazing seeing so much enthusiasm and curiosity. A big thank you to Maker Faire, the Kabeldistrict, and of course to everyone who stopped by.

And remember: Kites Up⬆️Carbon Down!⬇️

🔌 Wat als jouw bedrijfsvoering niet afhankelijk is van het elektriciteitsnet?

In heel Zeeland lopen steeds meer bedrijven tegen hetzelfde probleem aan:
Projecten lopen vertraging op, elektrificatie blijft liggen, werkzaamheden worden beperkt en bedrijfsgroei stagneert, simpelweg omdat het stroomnet het niet aankan.

Maar wat nou als je niet afhankelijk meer hoeft te zijn van het elektriciteitsnet?

Met steun van de subsidie Zeeland in Stroomversnelling (ZIS) van de heeft Kitepower het project Wind in Beweging opgezet: een onderzoek naar hoe Airborne Wind Energy kan zorgen voor lokale, hernieuwbare energie, precies waar en wanneer die nodig is, zonder lange wachttijden of vaste infrastructuur.

Samen met , , Zeeland Connect, onderzoeken we waar en voor wie dit in Zeeland de oplossing kan zijn.

Voor dit project nodigen we Zeeuwse ondernemers uit contact op te nemen om die:

- te maken hebben met beperkte of vertraagde toegang tot het elektriciteitsnet
- opereren op tijdelijke of energiebeperkte locaties
- of op zoek zijn naar nieuwe manieren om te groeien zonder afhankelijk te zijn van het elektriciteitsnet

Wilt u een bijdrage leveren aan het onderzoek of uw situatie met ons delen? Kom dan in contact door ons een bericht te sturen op LinkdIn. Laten we samen richting geven aan de duurzame en net-congestievrije toekomst van Zeeland.

Planting the flag in Ireland

Following our recent milestone — obtaining an unlimited permit to operate in Ireland — we’re taking a moment to look back at 2023: when our test site in Bangor Erris, County Mayo, took its first flight. 🍀

After an extensive global search, this coastal location was selected in collaboration with RWE to establish the Airborne Wind Energy test facility in Ireland. With strong Atlantic winds and open coastal conditions, the site provides an ideal environment to test our systems under a wide range of wind scenarios.

Testing in these demanding conditions helps us strengthen and refine our technology. If our kite systems can operate reliably in these challenging conditions, it proves the potential of airborne wind energy worldwide.

With the help of our Irish colleagues the site has evolved into playing the key role in advancing our technology and exploring the future of airborne wind energy. The welcoming local community makes all our Dutch-based colleagues look forward to traveling West and spending time in the field (and the pub.. 😉).

We would like to thank our partners county council, , aviation authority and na mona for accelerating the development of this exciting project!

EnergyTransition

Five years ago, we were given a chance…

To prove our technology in real-life conditions, and that’s exactly what we did.❗

Now, our kite system in Bangor Erris, County Mayo, Ireland, has been granted permission by the local authorities to operate for an indefinite period.

Our initial permit was issued five years ago, as the technology was still relatively new and time was needed to carefully assess its environmental and social impact. Over this period, we demonstrated safe and reliable operation without disturbing the environment, fully complying with all permit conditions.

This new approval confirms that airborne wind energy is a proven and socially accepted technology. Ready to become part of the Energy Mix! 💡

Everything that flies has to comply with aviation regulations. ✈️

🔙In 2022, Kitepower reached an important milestone, as changes in European regulations allowed for faster and easier deployment of pilot installations across the EU.

Up until then, the Kitepower System operated under the classification of a tethered kite, which required an individual flying permit for each flight. In 2022, our Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) system was re-evaluated within the European aviation framework. The EASA recognized our kites as a drone.

Instead of applying for separate permits for each location, we became part of a European regulatory framework. This led to easier and faster arrangements for Kitepower pilot installations across the EU.

For this week’s milestone, we look back to 2021: Kitepower at Goeree-Overflakkee 💨

In 2021 Kitepower carried out a trial demonstration at Goeree-Overflakkee, welcoming local authorities and partners to see our system in action. This was a valuable moment where our technology was showcased, enabling knowledge exchange and discussion on its potential role within future energy systems in the region.

The same year Kitepower received the All-In-One Permit for Physical Aspects granted by the municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee in Collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat and RVO. This gave us the ability to operate, test and continue developing our system at the melissant site.

In 2025, Kitepower relocated its test location to a site near the Hagestijnsebrug. The river overflow environment presented new challenges and demonstrated the system’s adaptability and flexibility. This step is the result of many milestones achieved in the intervening years, which we will highlight in upcoming Milestone Mondays. Stay tuned! 🪁

What does it mean to commit to wind energy? 💭

On the 15th of December, the closing reception of the Flying Solo exhibition “Committing to wind” took place in the auditorium of the TU Delft, where a diverse panel of industry experts explored what is needed to commit to wind energy.

Kitepower’s co-founder Roland Schmehl together with Helena Schmidt, provided valuable insights into the role of airborne wind energy in the wind sector and its wider societal impact. At the end of the session, participants shared their thoughts on what commitment to wind energy entails, with responsibility, collaboration and creativity receiving particular emphasis.

The Flying Solo exhibition can still be visited at the until the end of January.

📸

For this week’s Milestone Monday, we’re throwing it back to 2019, the year Kitepower became ISO 9001:2015 certified.

This certification shows that our quality management system meets the highest international standards, ensuring our technology and operations remain consistent, reliable, and always improving. 🌍🪁

Yesterday we hosted a behind-the-scenes tour at Kitepower as part of the Flying Solo exhibition by the

On 20 November, visitors got a unique look into our workspace, from hardware and simulations to the pre-flight checks of our systems. And of course, the star of the show: our 60 m² kite, specially displayed for the occasion! 🪁

Shorter days, same power! ⚡

Tonight, the clocks go back one hour, which means darker evenings are here again. 🌙 But no worries: even after sunset, our kites keep flying high!

Equipped with built-in safety lights that comply with aviation regulations, Kitepower systems can operate safely at night while continuously generating clean energy. 💨✨