Real-world, non-commercial campaigns that demonstrate reliability, logistics, and science value in extreme conditions—informing the broader AWE ecosystem.
Cases include traction-only polar demonstrations and working AWE prototypes with documented field performance—not commercial AWE industry partners.
Traction-only · Non-commercial
These projects use kite traction for propulsion and logistics—not grid-connected AWE power generation. They are featured for their field-demonstration value, not as commercial AWE industry partners.
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
Distance
27,000+ km
N. Greenland '25
1,541 km
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
The Spanish Trans-Antarctic campaign's first leg runs from Novo via the Pole of Inaccessibility, the Pole of Cold and Vostok to Concordia. The return route heads back to Novo via Dome Argus and Dome Fuji. Along the way, the WindSled will carry 16 scientific experiments, covering atmospheric chemistry, ice cores, astrobiology, and human performance in isolation.
Route map: outbound (red) and return (green)The 16 experiments on board
Case #2
KGM1
Working prototype · TRL 5–6 · Field-tested
KGM1 is a compact kite-driven wind system (10–20 kW rated) with working prototypes and field tests—making it a natural feasibility candidate alongside traction demonstrations. It also remains featured on the Collaborations & Research page as an active research project.
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.
