Design and development of a ground-based kite steer controller for kite-based wind power generation

Abstract

Kite Power Systems, a class of Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES), are capable of harvesting high-altitude wind energy using tethered kites, offering substantial material and efficiency advantages over traditional wind turbines. This paper introduces a novel ground-based Kite Steer Controller (KSC), pivotal for optimizing kite trajectory and power generation. The proposed KSC incorporates a Roll-Pitch-Zone control method, enabling precise steering in figure-of-eight trajectories while maintaining operational efficiency under varying wind conditions, including turbulence. Unlike prior approaches, this study emphasizes a detailed force analysis of control lines, revealing that control forces account for 23% of total aerodynamic forces, and the KSC consumes only 20% of the total power generated during a cycle. Experimental field tests with a 12 m2 Leading Edge Inflatable kite validate the system’s performance, demonstrating robust control capabilities under both steady and turbulent winds. This research advances global efforts in renewable airborne wind energy by presenting a scalable, energy-efficient solution for autonomous kite control, addressing critical challenges in AWES design and deployment. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.