EPSRC grant to advance how drones can be used to generate electricity

Dr Duc H. Nguyen, a Bristol University lecturer in Flight Dynamics and Control, has received a £375k grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to conduct further research into the emerging field of Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES).

By tethering a drone to a ground station, AWES harvests wind power at higher altitudes than conventional wind turbines. The high wind pulls the drone away from the ground station, driving the generator, and producing electricity.

This technology could benefit the UK’s energy sector by reducing its carbon footprint, providing offshore and onshore flexibility, and enhancing the ability to operate in remote areas, according to the research team.

To generate the most power, AWES must fly in intricate patterns while subjected to strong aerodynamic forces. This arrangement creates a complex system with delicate handling characteristics.

In a statement, Dr Nguyen, who is from Bristol’s School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering, said: “Airborne wind energy has enormous potential and is anticipated to generate €70bn per year worth of electricity by 2050.

“However, it is still an emerging technology. In many cases, a trade-off has been made: new designs have been rapidly deployed for test flights before their flying characteristics are fully understood. This has prevented many AWES prototypes from achieving full capacity in operation, leading to early termination of the programme and hindering commercialisation.”

The project aims to address this challenge using bifurcation and continuation methods. These numerical techniques have been successfully used in aircraft dynamic studies to predict dangerous behaviours such as pilot-induced oscillation, flutter, and spin.

“By replacing existing techniques with bifurcation methods, AWES can achieve significant cost savings and improved performance that will ultimately bring this technology closer to commercialisation,” Dr Nguyen added.

In addition to the EPSRC funding, the project also benefits from collaborations with Norwegian startup Kitemill and University Carlos the III of Madrid.

Thomas Hårklau, co-founder and CEO of Kitemill, added: “The initiation and successful funding of this AWES project is an important development in the renewable energy sector. AWES technology, with its exceptional material efficiency and higher energy yields, has the potential to become a dominant force in the energy industry.

“We are excited to collaborate with Duc Nguyen and Bristol University on this initiative. This project not only advances the UK’s net-zero mission but also secures British competence in this emerging sector.”