Airborne Wind Energy: An Overview of the Technological Approaches

Description

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. Foreword Preface Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) Technologies Harvest Electricity from the Sky! Motive Quick Note on Gendering References Contents 1 Introduction 1.1 Historical Overview References 2 Basic Differences of Wind Utilization Concepts 2.1 Technologies Structure 2.2 Wind Window of the Airborne Wind Technologies 2.3 Takeoff and Landing Technology Notes References 3 Idea of Wind Energy 3.1 Energy Density 3.2 Frequency 3.3 Wind Quality 3.4 Wind Directions 3.5 Wind Windows 3.6 Weather Influence 3.7 Impact of Disasters 3.8 Lift Force Becomes Energy References 4 Presentation of the Technology Approaches References 5 Production Potential References 6 Economic Aspects 6.1 Capital Expenditure 6.1.1 Consumption of Land and Airspace 6.1.2 Material and Life Cycle Assessments 6.1.3 Energy Balances 6.1.4 Service and Maintenance Costs 6.1.5 Recycling Opportunities 6.1.6 Controllability of Electricity Production 6.1.7 Decentralization Potential References 7 Economic Effects 7.1 Levelized Costs of Electricity (LCOE) 7.2 Storage Capacities and Storage Requirements References 8 Sociological Aspects 8.1 Species Protection 8.2 Nature Conservation 8.3 Landscape Protection 8.4 Noise Emission 8.5 Shadow Effects 8.6 Stroboscopic Effects References 9 Global Aspects and Impacts 9.1 Impact of Airborne Wind Technologies on Climate Reference 10 Safety Aspects References 11 Epilogue References Further Information A Appendix