Utilizing low-level jets with airborne wind energy systems for mobile missions at research station Neumayer III in Antarctica

Abstract

Airborne wind energy systems (AWES) are particularly suitable for remote applications where mobility is important. The present study investigates the use for mobile research missions at the Neumayer Station III in Antarctica. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) wind data up to 500 m height are analyzed, with focus on the occurrence of low-level jets, whose high energy potential can be used by AWES. The energy yield of a 30 kW AWES is compared with a conventional wind turbine of the same rated power. The comparison is based on wind speed time series on respective heights and the power curves of both systems. The following assumptions are used: The AWES harvests energy at an average height of 300 m, the conventional wind turbine has a hub height of 18 m, the power generation of both systems is determined by a combination of wind speed measurement time series and the respective power curves. Two scenarios are analyzed: In Scenario A, a full Antarctic summer mission period (between November 2024 and February 2025) is considered. Over the entire period, the AWES produces about 10% more energy than the conventional wind turbine. During low wind conditions, the AWES shows a substantially increased energy output. However, due to strong winds at higher altitudes and a lower cut-out wind speed regarding the utilized power curve, the AWES is more often shut down. This comparison is a very conservative view on the AWES, because lower harvesting heights with lower wind speeds would be possible. In Scenario B only periods with wind speeds below 12 m/s are considered, in which field work is possible. In this case, the AWES produces about 40% more energy.