Large-Scale Reverse Pumping for Rigid-Wing Airborne Wind Energy Systems

What is it about?

The paper is concerned with airborne wind energy systems, an innovative technology to convert wind energy into electricity. These systems feature an autonomous aircraft connect to ground by a strong, yet light, tether. The paper presents a hierarchical control approach to carry out so-called reverse pumping cycles, where the aircraft is kept airborne even with zero wind speed, by periodically injecting potential energy from ground through a cycle of gliding and winch launch maneuvers.

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