RWE Renewables is working with SkySails Power to deploy a 120 square metre kite to capture the wind at heights of up to 400 metres to generate power.
For three years, RWE Renewables will operate the SkySails Power system as part of the pilot project to evaluate the technology.
Suitable locations in Germany are being investigated.
Air wind turbines use the strong and steady wind in air layers of several hundred metres above the ground. The SkySails Power system consists of a ground station with a winch with a generator.
During its ascent, a train dragon, the “kite”, pulls a rope in controlled flight figures off a winch and the connected generator generates electricity.
As soon as the cable reaches its maximum length, the retrieval phase begins: the kite automatically places itself in a position where its pulling force creates little resistance.
The retrieval process requires only a fraction of the energy generated during the power phase.
Energy produced from kites produce outputs of 100-200kW.
SkySails is working on scaling up the technology.
SkySails CEO Stephan Wrage said: “The lightweight, compact design of air wind turbines takes special account of humans and animals.
“The systems work very quietly, are practically unnoticeable in the landscape and hardly cast any shadow.
“This makes SkySails technology a fascinating variant of renewable power generation with wind power.”
RWE Europe wind and solar chief operating officer Katja Wunschel said: “It has the potential to be used both onshore and offshore, thus complementing conventional wind energy.”