Diagram of airborne wind energy tethered airfoil

About Us

Advanced kite energy technology
The Airborne Wind Energy Industry Association (AWEIA) is a global platform dedicated to advancing the development, deployment, and adoption of Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) technologies.

Leadership & Community

  • President pro-tem: John Oyebanji (Nigeria), founder of KiteWorks Nigeria
  • Advisor: David Santos (a.k.a. David Guinn, USA) – long-time advocate, inventor, and chronicler of AWE systems
  • Advisor: Joe Faust (USA) – pioneer and archivist of kite-based energy concepts

Our Mission

Clean energy future

Our mission is to connect innovators, researchers, investors, and communities to accelerate the role of AWE in the world's clean energy transition.

AWEIA promotes:

  • Collaboration among AWE firms and research institutions
  • Visibility for pioneering efforts across regions
  • Inclusivity through initiatives like Women in AWE
  • Contact us for collaboration

Global AWE Firms

Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) is developing worldwide, though the industry is still in its early stages. Some regions already host established companies, while others are represented mainly by research initiatives or historic pioneers.

Renewable energy in Africa

🌍 Africa

  • › KiteWorks Renewables & Remediations Ltd. (Nigeria) – Developing kite-based energy and environmental solutions for desertification, flood control, and agricultural resilience.
Wind energy systems in Europe

Europe Europe

  • › Kitepower (Netherlands) – TU Delft spin-off developing containerized kite-power units for decentralized generation
  • › SkySails Power (Germany) – Large-scale kite systems for renewable electricity and maritime applications
  • › EnerKíte (Germany) – Ground-based kite systems; demonstrated kite-powered EV charging in 2024
  • › Kitemill (Norway) – Megawatt-scale kite prototypes under testing in Lista
  • › KGM1 (Italy/Spain) – Innovative sled-based AWE concept, Solar Impulse recognized
  • › Kitenergy (Italy) – Early European pioneer contributing research, prototypes, and awareness
  • › e-kite (Netherlands) – Lightweight kite systems, lower-power niche
  • › Ampyx Power (Netherlands) – Historic rigid-wing glider approach (ceased operations 2022)
Advanced wind technology in North America

🏔️ North America

  • › Energy Kite Systems, KiteLabs, kPower, and JAL AWE...
  • › Windlift (USA) – Tethered drone AWE systems for off-grid and defense use
  • › Makani (USA) – Historic Alphabet/Google project (closed 2020)
  • › Altaeros (USA) – Active, shifted to telecom/remote infrastructure using tethered aerostats
Research and innovation in Asia

🏯 Asia

  • › China: Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Beihang University (Beijing)
  • › India: Academic research at IITs (early stage)
  • › Japan: Experimental interest, no formalized firms yet
Clean energy research in Oceania

🏝️ Oceania

  • › Australia: University of Sydney and other groups have explored AWE concepts