Multidisciplinary design, analysis and optimization of fixed-wing airborne wind energy systems

Abstract. Airborne wind energy (AWE) is the second generation of wind energy systems, an innovative technology which accesses the large untapped wind resource potential at high altitudes. It enables to harvest wind power at lower carbon intensity and, eventually, at lower costs compared to conventional wind technologies. The design of such systems is still uncertain and companies and research institutions are focusing on multiple concepts. To explore the design space, a new multidisciplinary design, analysis and optimization framework for fixed-wing airborne wind energy systems (T-GliDe) is being developed. In this work, the framework of T-GliDe and its problem formulation are introduced.