Germany-based energy provider EON is set to develop, construct, and operate a demonstration site for airborne wind technology in County Mayo in Ireland.
The firm has also entered a collaboration agreement with the Netherlands-based airborne wind energy firm Ampyx Power.
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Under the agreement, Ampyx will be the first user to test its 2MW airborne wind energy system at the site.
Airborne wind technology can be used to harvest wind energy in altitudes up to 450m and can be easily deployed onshore or in deeper waters. It is expected that the development of the test site will provide opportunities for EON to partner with multiple companies to develop and commercialise airborne wind power generation technology.
EON's climate and renewables chief executive officer (CEO) Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath said: “Airborne wind supports one of our overall targets to drive down cost for renewable energy.
"In addition to making airborne wind competitive to conventional wind power, we would like to work with authorities and legislators to pave the way for introducing this exciting technology and eventually make it eligible to participate in tendering processes."
Founded in 2009, Ampyx Power develops and deploys fixed wing airborne wind energy systems in utility scale wind parks. Its 2MW system is being designed to repower the first generation offshore wind parks constructed in the early 2000s.
Image: New test site by EON for airborne wind technology. Photo: courtesy of EON.
