Design Exploration of a Ground Station for an Airborne Wind Energy System

The growing need for sustainable energy sources in regard to climate change has brought various innovative solutions, including airborne wind energy systems (AWES). AWES is a renewable energy technology and alternative to wind turbines that harness wind power using aerial devices like kites, gliders, and drones that are tethered to the ground to generate electricity They can operate at higher altitudes where winds are generally stronger and more consistent. In this paper, a ground station is designed for AWES using a drive chain which is then replaced by a gearbox. Power production is greater in the case of the gearbox as compared to the drive chain.