The airship-like S1500, the world’s largest flying wind turbine, recently became the first device of its kind to generate one megawatt of power during a test flight.
Wind turbines are already a big part of China’s big bet on renewable green energy, but the Asian country is always looking to lower the cost and increase the efficiency of its installations. That’s how it came up with a versatile inflatable turbine capable of being relocated quickly while generating significant amounts of electricity. The S1500 floating wind power system is about as tall as a 13-storey building and as long as a basketball court. It looks like a giant floating airplane engine and it is capable of operating at heights of up to 1,500 meters, where winds are faster and more stable than at the level of traditional towers (approximately 200 meters).
Developed by Beijing Linyi Yunchuan Energy Technology Co. Ltd., the world’s largest flying wind turbine features a main helium-filled gasbag with a ring wing, which forms a giant duct that harnesses the stable high-altitude winds to drive the rotor. With the help of 12 generators rated at 100 kilowatt, the ingenious power-generating system transmits electricity steadily to the ground through tethering cables.
One of the main advantages of lying turbines is that they don’t require the construction of large metal towers and rotors, which can reduce the cost per kilowatt-hour by 30%. The inflatable design also makes them extremely easy to move across long distances.
Beijing Linyi Yunchuan Energy Technology Co. Ltd. plans to begin mass producing S1500 wind turbines starting next year, but there are still challenges to overcome, such as regulatory frameworks and safety standards, demonstrating the stability of the installation in extreme weather conditions, and the durability of its components.
“We look forward to making airborne wind power an important component of affordable green electricity,” Dun Tianrui, CEO of eijing Linyi Yunchuan Energy Technology Co. Ltd., said.
