Standards Development

Scope

The purpose of the proposed Technical Specification is to provide a uniform methodology that will ensure consistency, accuracy and reproducibility in the measurement and analysis of power performance by airborne wind energy (AWES) systems. It will be based on IEC 61400-12 and its scope will be limited to those articles/provisions which require adaptation to AWES technology

Purpose

Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES) harness wind energy at altitudes up to 800m or even beyond. They generate electricity through the use of kites or aircraft that are tethered to a ground station. In recent years a number of technology developers have developed the first pre-commercial systems. Therefore, it is timely to start activities regarding standardization of products and processes; a priority has been identified in a standardised power performance measurement for AWES. Currently, IEC 61400-12-1 does not contemplate AWES. Hence, it is proposed to define a new Technical Specification which is based on IEC 61400-12-1 which focuses only those articles/provisions which need to be adapted to or defined for AWES technology. The scope shall include both systems that generate on the ground and systems that generate electricity in the aircraft, as well as all types of (cross-wind flying) kites and aircrafts (soft-wing, fixed-wing, semi-rigid wing).

Early 2024, the first AWES company (SkySails Power) presented the first externally verified power curve. The verification was based on IEC 61400-12-1. In many aspects, the Technical Specification could be directly applied and compliance verified. However, with regards to a number of aspects, either the existing provisions were not relevant/applicable, new methods were developed or they were identified to be developed more comprehensively in future (such as: RSD in-situ validation; wind sheer, wind veer and upflow).

The Technical Specification shall be linked to the newly proposed Work Item “Airborne wind energy systems (AWSE) (proposed IEC TS 61400-80)” which shall become the overarching series for AWES within the IEC 61400 series.

The following text is based on the introduction to IEC 61400-80:

The Technical Specification will be prepared with the anticipation that it would be applied by:

a) a AWES manufacturer striving to meet well-defined power performance requirements and/or a possible declaration system;

b) an AWES purchaser in specifying such performance requirements;

c) an AWES operator who can be required to verify that stated, or required, power performance specifications are met for new or refurbished units;

d) an AWES planner or regulator who needs to be able to accurately and fairly define power performance characteristics of AWE systems in response to regulations or permit requirements for new or modified installations.

The new Technical Specification shall provide guidance in the measurement, analysis, and reporting of power performance testing for AWES. It will benefit those parties involved in the manufacture, installation planning and permitting, operation, utilization, and regulation of AWE systems. The technically accurate measurement and analysis techniques recommended in the Technical Specification should be applied by all parties to ensure that continuing development and operation of AWES is carried out in an atmosphere of consistent and accurate communication relative to AWES performance.

The Technical Specification will present measurement and reporting procedures expected to provide accurate results that can be replicated by others. Meanwhile, a user of this Technical Specification shouldbe aware of differences that arise from large variations in wind shear and turbulence as well as the specificities of AWE technology. Therefore, a user should consider the influence of these differences and the data selection criteria in relation to the purpose of the test before contracting the power performance measurements.