Kite Power Solutions has achieved what is believed to be the world’s first planning consent for a kite power technology test and development site.
Energy consultant Natural Power, which secured the consent on the company’s behalf, said the site will be located within the West Freugh military testing range near Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
Kite Power Solutions has already successfully demonstrated a 40kW concept system at its current base in Essex and hopes to have a 500kW system available for commercial sale by 2021.
It is currently seeking to secure £5.5m of investment before embarking on the next development phase, which will include testing kites at West Freugh at heights up to 500 meters.
The system works by flying a wing in a circular looping path, much like the tip of a wind turbine blade, according to Kite Power Solutions’ website. Tension exerted against the tether causes a line to be rapidly spooled from a drum connected to a generator.
Oil major Royal Dutch Shell and the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change have offered financial support to the development so far.
“This is an exciting and innovative technology, which has the potential to bring significant community benefits to the area,” Naturals Power’s Euan Hutchison said.
Image: Natural Power
