The helium-fueled S500 airship, equipped with an airborne turbine, reached an altitude of 500 meters to generate more than 50 kW of electricity. It is being developed by Beijing SAWES Energy Technology Co Ltd, in collaboration with Tsinghua University and the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The principle is simple but powerful: to take advantage of stronger and more constant winds that circulate at altitudes higher than those of the wind turbines. wind turbines conventional wind turbines. While an onshore turbine picks up currents at about 200 meters, the S500 picks them up at 500 meters, with the promise of scaling up to 1,000 meters and doubling its power to 100 kW.
More about the S500 airship
The S500 is not only designed for the power grid. Its rapid deployment capability makes it a resource for rescue operations, aerial mapping and urban security. According to Weng Hanke, chief technology officer of SAWES, the system’s versatility would allow it to secure power and communication in the event of earthquakes or floods.
The S500 is the prelude to a series of more advanced systems. This year, the same company presented the S1500, an airship with a megawatt generating capacity that operates at an altitude of 1,500 meters. It opens the door to a 30-fold increase in energy production compared to conventional solutions.
The project confirms the country’s interest in exploring clean energy alternatives clean and sustainable sustainable energy alternatives. Experts point out that high-altitude wind power has the potential to supply remote regions and reduce costs compared to traditional infrastructure. For SAWES, the ultimate goal is to bring this technology to 10,000 meters, where winds are up to 200 times more intense than on the surface.
Source and photo: Chinadaily
