This book provides in-depth coverage of the latest research and development activities concerning innovative wind energy technologies intended to replace fossil fuels on an economical basis. A characteristic feature of the various conversion concepts discussed is the use of tethered flying devices to substantially reduce the material consumption per installed unit and to access wind energy at higher altitudes, where the wind is more consistent. The introductory chapter describes the emergence and economic dimension of airborne wind energy. Focusing on “Fundamentals, Modeling & Simulation”, Part I includes six contributions that describe quasi-steady as well as dynamic models and simulations of airborne wind energy systems or individual components. Shifting the spotlight to “Control, Optimization & Flight State Measurement”, Part II combines one chapter on measurement techniques with five chapters on control of kite and ground stations, and two chapters on optimization. Part III on “Concept Design & Analysis” includes three chapters that present and analyze novel harvesting concepts as well as two chapters on system component design. Part IV, which centers on “Implemented Concepts”, presents five chapters on established system concepts and one chapter about a subsystem for automatic launching and landing of kites. In closing, Part V focuses with four chapters on “Technology Deployment” related to market and financing strategies, as well as on regulation and the environment. The book builds on the success of the first volume “Airborne Wind Energy” (Springer, 2013), and offers a self-contained reference guide for researchers, scientists, professionals and students. The respective chapters were contributed by a broad variety of authors: academics, practicing engineers and inventors, all of whom are experts in their respective fields.

This book shows possible solutions to how a profitable energy supply can be implemented with almost no population resistance. Worldwide, more than 80 % of our energy needs are still covered by fossil fuels. Under these circumstances, can climate change still be stopped? Essential technologies for usage of wind energy with an emphasis on high-altitude wind utilization are presented. Airborne wind energy is one of the most promising technologies to enable a renewable energy turnaround in an economical way. The main problem of conventional renewable energy is the insufficient availability. To ensure a 100 % supply of renewable energy, enormous and very expensive storage capacities would have to be built up. How we can cover our entire energy needs (electricity, mobility and heat) in the future without fossil fuels, without risking the competitiveness of our economy, is shown in this book.

Presenting the latest developments in the field, Wind Energy Systems: Control Engineering Design offers a novel take on advanced control engineering design techniques for wind turbine applications. The book introduces concurrent quantitative engineering techniques for the design of highly efficient and reliable controllers, which can be used to solve the most critical problems of multi-megawatt wind energy systems. This book is based on the authors’ experience during the last two decades designing commercial multi-megawatt wind turbines and control systems for industry leaders, including NASA and the European Space Agency. This work is their response to the urgent need for a truly reliable concurrent engineering methodology for the design of advanced control systems. Outlining a roadmap for such a coordinated architecture, the authors consider the links between all aspects of a multi-megawatt wind energy project, in which the wind turbine and the control system must be cooperatively designed to achieve an optimized, reliable, and successful system. Look inside for information about the QFT Control Toolbox for Matlab, the software developed by the author to facilitate the QFT robust control design (see also the link at codypower.com). The textbook’s big-picture insights can help students and practicing engineers control and optimize a wind energy system, in which large, flexible, aerodynamic structures are connected to a demanding variable electrical grid and work automatically under very turbulent and unpredictable environmental conditions. The book covers topics including robust QFT control, aerodynamics, mechanical and electrical dynamic modeling, economics, reliability, and efficiency. It also addresses standards, certification, implementation, grid integration, and power quality, as well as environmental and maintenance issues. To reinforce understanding, the authors present real examples of experimentation with commercial multi-megawatt direct-drive wind turbines, as well as on-shore, offshore, floating, and airborne wind turbine applications. They also offer a unique in-depth exploration of the quantitative feedback theory (QFT)—a proven, successful robust control technique for real-world applications—as well as advanced switching control techniques that help engineers exceed classical linear limitations.

Wind energy’s bestselling textbook- fully revised. This must-have second edition includes up-to-date data, diagrams, illustrations and thorough new material on: the fundamentals of wind turbine aerodynamics; wind turbine testing and modelling; wind turbine design standards; offshore wind energy; special purpose applications, such as energy storage and fuel production. Fifty additional homework problems and a new appendix on data processing make this comprehensive edition perfect for engineering students. This book offers a complete examination of one of the most promising sources of renewable energy and is a great introduction to this cross-disciplinary field for practising engineers. “provides a wealth of information and is an excellent reference book for people interested in the subject of wind energy.” (IEEE Power & Energy Magazine, November/December 2003) “deserves a place in the library of every university and college where renewable energy is taught.” (The International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education, Vol.41, No.2 April 2004) “a very comprehensive and well-organized treatment of the current status of wind power.” (Choice, Vol. 40, No. 4, December 2002)

What Is Airborne Wind Turbine An airborne wind turbine is a design concept for a wind turbine with a rotor that is supported in the air without a tower. This allows the wind turbine to take advantage of the greater wind speed and persistence at higher altitudes, while also avoiding the expense of tower construction and the requirement for slip rings or yaw mechanisms. There are two possible locations for an electrical generator: on the ground or in the air. The ability to securely hang and maintain turbines hundreds of meters from the ground in heavy winds and storms is one of the challenges faced. Other challenges include transmitting the electricity that has been gathered and/or created back to land and interfering with aviation. How You Will Benefit (I) Insights, and validations about the following topics: Chapter 1: Airborne wind turbine Chapter 2: Aircraft Chapter 3: Unpowered aircraft Chapter 4: Aerostat Chapter 5: Balloon (aeronautics) Chapter 6: Savonius wind turbine Chapter 7: Hybrid airship Chapter 8: List of energy resources Chapter 9: Allsopp Helikite Chapter 10: Airborne wind energy Chapter 11: Unconventional wind turbines Chapter 12: Tethered balloon Chapter 13: Tethered Aerostat Radar System Chapter 14: Laddermill Chapter 15: Kite types Chapter 16: Kytoon Chapter 17: Unpowered flight Chapter 18: Makani (company) Chapter 19: Aerostat (disambiguation) Chapter 20: Crosswind kite power Chapter 21: Kitepower (II) Answering the public top questions about airborne wind turbine. (III) Real world examples for the usage of airborne wind turbine in many fields. (IV) 17 appendices to explain, briefly, 266 emerging technologies in each industry to have 360-degree full understanding of airborne wind turbine' technologies. Who This Book Is For Professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those who want to go beyond basic knowledge or information for any kind of airborne wind turbine.

Innovative Wind Turbines is a tribute to the inventors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies that through their efforts have envisioned, designed, and constructed models and prototypes for wind energy devices. There are numerous concepts and ideas on ways to convert wind energy into usable energy, and this book examines the innovative, novel, or unusual concepts with numerous photos and historical examples. Primarily, only prototypes that have been constructed are mentioned, along with a few design concepts. The wind turbines are divided by types: horizontal axis wind turbines, ducted wind turbines, vertical axis wind turbines, airborne wind turbines, and more. Features: Includes numerous photos of innovative wind turbines Presents information and examples of multiple rotor, multiple blade designs Includes information and examples of airborne wind energy systems Examines novel blade designs, including whale blades and biomimicry