Here you can find the open-source code and data behind our research. Most of the work is linked to publications that can be found through the TU Delft Repository.
Our tools for soft-wing (leading-edge inflatable) kite power systems work together across three levels: the system (cost and energy yield), the kite (aerodynamics, structure and flight paths) and its operation (simulation, estimation and early warning). The tools exchange system definitions and data through the common awesIO standard.
| Level | Tool | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| System | TEF | Techno-economic framework: sizes the system and finds the design with the lowest cost of energy |
| System | AWESPA | Wind resource, power curves and annual energy production |
| System | EcoMo | Economic model: capital, operation and maintenance, replacement cost and LCoE |
| Kite | AWETrim | Quasi-steady kite simulation: aero-structural trim, reduced-order models and trajectory optimisation |
| Kite | Vortex-Step-Method | Fast aerodynamics of curved, deforming wings |
| Kite | Billow | Structural model of soft inflatable kites: tubes, wrinkling canopy and bridle lines |
| Operation | OpenSourceAWE | Julia ecosystem for dynamic simulation and control of kite power systems |
| Operation | EKF-AWE | Extended Kalman filter: the kite as a wind and state sensor |
| Operation | awe-event-predictor | Machine-learning early warning of critical tether-force peaks |
Open data: soft kites (7 datasets)
| Dataset | Kite | Flight |
|---|---|---|
| TUDELFT_V3_KITE | TU Delft V3, 25 m² | Geometry, specifications and analyses |
| Flightdata24032017 | TU Delft V3, 25 m² | 24 March 2017, ten pumping cycles with an onboard flow sensor |
| Flightdata08102019 | TU Delft V3, 25 m² | 8 October 2019 |
| Flightdata12052023 | Kitepower V9, 60 m² | 12 May 2023, Dirksland, the Netherlands |
| Flightdata27112023 | Kitepower V9, 60 m² | 27 November 2023, Bangor Erris, Ireland |
| Flightdata05062024 | Kitepower V9, 60 m² | 5 June 2024, Bangor Erris, Ireland |
| Flightdata09102025 | TU Delft V3, 25 m² | 9 October 2025, Bangor Erris, with photogrammetry of the flying shape |
Full overview coming soon.
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| MegAWES | Matlab/Simulink model of a multi-megawatt rigid-wing pumping system, 3DoF and 6DoF dynamics |
| AWE-SE | Systems-engineering framework for design and scaling of fixed-wing ground-generation systems, coupling AWE-Power and AWE-Eco (MATLAB) |
| AWE-Power | Quasi-steady cycle-power model of fixed-wing ground-generation systems (MATLAB) |
| AWE-Eco | Reference economic model for AWE systems, IEA Wind Task 48 (MATLAB) |
Open data: rigid wings (2 datasets)
| Dataset | System | Flight |
|---|---|---|
| ampyx-ap2-flightdata | Ampyx Power AP2 | 3 October 2017 |
| Flightdata2022-Kitemill | Kitemill | 29 March – 28 April 2022 |
- The lecture notes from Roland Schmehl's MSc course at the AE Faculty of the TU Delft.
- Airborne Wind Europe for more general information.
- The white paper written with many prominent people in the industry and BVG Associates.
