System-Ready Techno-Economic Inputs for Airborne Wind Energy in Pan-European Electricity System Optimization

Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) is new technology that has not yet achieved large scale deployments in Europe and beyond. So, there is some uncertainty on the economic potential of this technology. Additionally, since it harvests high altitude wind, it may have a different temporal and geographical behaviour than conventional wind [1]. This presentation will outline a new PhD project with the aim to i) identify the economic potential ii) identify regions within Europe that are most favourable to AWE and iii) how AWE can compete with existing technologies on the grid.
As shown in Figure, ERA 5 reanalysis wind fields are used to characterize the high-altitude wind resource. These data are processed by an AWES system-engineering tool that outputs (i) power curve for selectable operating altitudes and (ii) a harmonized techno-economic input set (CAPEX, fixed/variable O&M, availability, and simplified operational constraints). Then the result passed to CorRES [2] to generate scenario-consistent renewable time series and preserve spatial and temporal correlations structures needed for system studies. Finally, these inputs are evaluated in Balmorel [3], where the value of novel wind technology can be assessed on continental scale.
The project will consider a range of different scenarios for 2026–2050, like early off-grid deployments, niche rid services and eventually broader utility-scale integration. That latter will consider additional grid scenarios with varying energy storage, power-to-X and transmission expansion. The research analyses high- altitude wind conditions, including wind shear, low-level jets, and atmospheric stability, to refine AWE power curves for selected sites and assess impacts on annual energy production. Preliminary results also include early LCOE estimates and, where possible, revenue estimates based on Balmorel electricity prices. Overall, the presentation highlights early findings, next research steps, and how the value of AWE can be assessed for both asset owners and the broader energy system.