EPSRC grant to advance how drones can be used to generate electricity
The Bristol University-led project will consider how drones could be used to harvest wind energy and further help the UK transition to net zero.
Dr Duc H. Nguyen, a Bristol University lecturer in Flight Dynamics and Control, has received a £375k grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to conduct further research into the emerging field of Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES).
By tethering a drone to a ground station, AWES harvests wind power at higher altitudes than conventional wind turbines. The high wind pulls the drone away from the ground station, driving the generator, and producing electricity.
This technology could benefit the UK’s energy sector by reducing its carbon footprint, providing offshore and onshore flexibility, and enhancing the ability to operate in remote areas, according to the research team.
To generate the most power, AWES must fly in intricate patterns while subjected to strong aerodynamic forces. This arrangement creates a complex system with delicate handling characteristics.
In a statement, Dr Nguyen, who is from Bristol’s School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering, said: “Airborne wind energy has enormous potential and is anticipated to generate €70bn per year worth of electricity by 2050.
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