Africa
SkySails Morocco • KiteWorks Nigeria
Operational installations and emerging AWE solutions across the continent.
AWEResearch
Airborne Wind Energy Industry Association International
A global platform dedicated to advancing the development, deployment, and adoption of Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) technologies. Connecting innovators, researchers, investors, and communities worldwide.
About AWEIA
The Airborne Wind Energy Industry Association (AWEIA) is the original global industry association for Airborne Wind Energy (AWE). For nearly two decades AWEIA has provided an open, volunteer-led platform connecting researchers, innovators, investors and the wider community to advance AWE.
Learn more →đź§
Feasibility & Demonstration
Field campaigns and case studies that inform reliability, logistics and science value.
Submit a demonstrationActive initiatives
- AWE Code of Conduct based on engineering and scientific principles
- Moratorium on military R&D for AWE systems
- Fair business standards for investors and competitors
- Restoration of open, rotating AWE conference planning
Global AWE Firms Around the World
Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) is advancing across continents — from pioneering companies to cutting-edge research groups shaping the future of sustainable power.
Europe
Kitepower • SkySails • Kitemill + more
Containerized kite-power, maritime systems, ground-gen and megawatt prototypes.
AWEResearch
North America
JAL • Windlift • Kitelift + Research
Leading AWE research and development from foundational aerology to commercial applications.
AWEResearch
Asia
China • India • Japan
Academic-led development with participation from NUAA, Beihang, IITs and commercial projects.
AWEResearch
Oceania
Australian Research Initiatives
University of Sydney & others building theoretical groundwork and prototype exploration.
AWEResearch
Beyond Electricity: Diverse AWE Applications
Airborne Wind Energy technology extends far beyond traditional power generation. From environmental protection to agricultural innovation, AWE systems are solving real-world challenges across multiple industries.
Fire Fighting
AWE kites can support aerial firefighting operations by providing elevated observation platforms, communication relays, and even water delivery systems in remote areas where traditional aircraft access is limited.
Irrigation
Kite-powered pumping systems provide sustainable water solutions for agriculture, enabling irrigation in off-grid locations and reducing dependence on fossil fuels for water management.
Bird Scaring
AWE systems provide humane bird deterrent solutions for airports, agricultural fields, and urban areas, reducing crop damage and improving aviation safety through dynamic aerial presence.
Environmental Engineering
Kite platforms enable atmospheric monitoring, pollution tracking, weather data collection, and environmental surveys at altitudes inaccessible to traditional ground-based sensors.
Hybrid Power Systems
AWE technology integrates with solar, diesel, and battery systems to create resilient microgrids, enhancing energy security and efficiency for remote communities and industrial operations.
Transportation
Kite-assisted propulsion systems like WindSled demonstrate zero-emission transportation solutions for polar exploration, cargo shipping, and remote area logistics in extreme environments.
Expanding the Horizons of Wind Energy
These applications demonstrate that AWE is not just about electricity generation— it's about harnessing wind power for diverse solutions that address real-world challenges across industries, from agriculture to environmental protection.
AWE Feasibility & Demonstration
Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) is more than lab tests—there are field campaigns that demonstrate reliability, logistics, and science value in extreme conditions. This page highlights real-world demonstrations (non-commercial) that inform the broader AWE ecosystem.
Case #1 — Inuit WindSled (Greenland & Antarctica)
Inuit WindSled is a zero-emission polar exploration platform propelled by traction kites, designed to support science on long traverses over ice sheets.
Expeditions
13 major expeditions (to Oct 2025)
Distance
27,000+ km
North Greenland 2025
1,541 km in 16 days
Track record
- 13 major expeditions across Greenland and Antarctica
- 27,000+ km cumulative distance (~16,800 miles)
- North Greenland Expedition 2025: 1,541 km (~957 miles) in 16 days
- 37 scientific projects supported across 14 disciplines
Recent science highlights (2025)
- Collaboration with University of Maine CCI: surface-snow sampling for PFAS and trace elements
- Field testing of mini-PIONEER (CNR–Institute of Polar Sciences): compact PM sensor for polar operation
Why it matters for AWE
- Operational proof that kite systems can sustain multi-week missions in extreme environments
- Provides environmental and meteorological observations useful for resource assessment and model validation
- Bridges R&D and field use by informing deployment, maintenance, and pilotage requirements
Contribute a non-commercial demonstration
Have a non-commercial AWE demonstration with documented field performance? AWEIA welcomes succinct submissions (1–2 paragraphs, key stats, and one image). Submissions will be reviewed for inclusion; we may embed provided media with attribution.
Kite Events & Scientific Expeditions
Discover ongoing scientific expeditions and championship events that showcase the power and potential of kite technology in extreme environments and competitive sports.
Under Antarctica
A groundbreaking scientific expedition using kite-powered sleds to explore Antarctica's remote regions. Follow their journey and access educational resources about polar science.
North Greenland Windsled Expedition 2026
Join the next chapter of polar exploration with the North Greenland Windsled Expedition, combining kite technology with scientific research across the ice sheet.
Antarctica 2026
View the complete timeline of Antarctic expeditions showcasing decades of kite-powered exploration and scientific discovery in the world's most extreme environment.
Arctic Wind Riders Championships
Experience the thrill of competitive kite sports with Arctic Wind Riders. Follow championship events and community programs that celebrate Indigenous youth engagement and kite innovation.
Inuit WindSled - Pioneering #AWE #Transport, Advancing Science.