PowerPlane
Ampyx Power is a pioneering technology start-up company that is at the forefront of Airborne Wind Energy. Ampyx Power is developing the PowerPlane, a machine that can extract energy from the wind much more economically than wind turbines.
The principle of operation is based on the aircraft flying patterns in the sky and generating high tension forces in the connecting tether. The system generates power as the cable is unwound from a drum located at the ground. When the cable is fully unwound, the aircraft performs a dive and part of the cable is retrieved quickly in order to minimise power losses. It is the difference in tension during retrieval that allows net energy to be generated. When the cable is retrieved to its original condition, the process is repeated.
Below is a picture of the 10 kW PowerPlane flying patterns on the cable. The wing span of the aircraft is a little over 5 meters.
