China is close to a breakthrough with its first 1 MW airborne wind turbine.

China is close to a breakthrough with its first 1 MW airborne wind turbine, revealed on August 25th by SAWES CTO, Mr. Wang Xinkai.

 

This technology is like a "light gas balloon carrying a power generator flying in the air." Back in October 2024, SAWES successfully tested a smaller S500 model (75m long, 15m wide) in Jingmen, Hubei province. It flew up to 500m and generated over 50 kW, proving its feasibility on a small scale.

The upcoming S1500 system will have over 30 times the power of similar foreign models, making a 1957 idea by scientist Qian Xuesen a reality. China is not only focusing on offshore turbines but also pushing ahead with this airborne technology.

Developed by SAWES in collaboration with Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Aerospace Institute, this innovation places turbines in the upper atmosphere where winds are stronger and more stable. This maximizes energy capture, making it ideal for remote areas or disaster zones where traditional power grids are challenging to access.

Other countries also use similar technologies. Hywind Scotland (30 MW, since 2017) and Hywind Tampen (88 MW, since 2023) in Norway are commercial floating wind farms. Portugal has WindFloat Atlantic (25 MW) and the UK has Kincardine (nearly 50 MW), both using semi-submersible structures.

Globally, operational floating wind capacity is around 245 MW, with a potential 266 GW in the pipeline. China is also working on Ocean X (or "Flying V"), a V-shaped floating turbine designed to withstand Category 5 typhoons, weighing 16,500 tons and producing 54,000 MWh annually, enough for 30,000 households.

The unique aspect of China's airborne turbine is its operation in the high atmosphere, independent of water. This differs from traditional floating methods, reducing underwater structural needs and improving deployment in complex terrains or emergency situations. However, controlling the balloon-borne turbine and transmitting power via cables remains a significant technical challenge, along with air safety and transmission stability.

While floating turbines like Hywind and WindFloat offer large-scale power and commercial viability, they have limitations in location and high deployment costs, especially in deep or turbulent waters. If airborne technology overcomes its hurdles, it could mark a new era in wind energy.

China News