Africa
KiteWorks Renewables & Remediations Ltd.
AWEResearch
Airborne Wind Energy Industry Association International
A global platform dedicated to advancing the development, deployment, and adoption of Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) technologies. Connecting innovators, researchers, investors, and communities worldwide.
About AWEIA
The Airborne Wind Energy Industry Association (AWEIA) is the original global industry association for Airborne Wind Energy (AWE). For nearly two decades AWEIA has provided an open, volunteer-led platform connecting researchers, innovators, investors and the wider community to advance AWE.
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Feasibility & Demonstration
Field campaigns and case studies that inform reliability, logistics and science value.
Submit a demonstrationActive initiatives
- AWE Code of Conduct based on engineering and scientific principles
- Moratorium on military R&D for AWE systems
- Fair business standards for investors and competitors
- Restoration of open, rotating AWE conference planning
Global AWE Firms Around the World
Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) is advancing across continents — from pioneering companies to cutting-edge research groups shaping the future of sustainable power.
Europe
Kitepower • SkySails • EnerKíte + more
Containerized kite-power, maritime systems, ground-gen and megawatt prototypes.
AWEResearch
North America
Windlift • Altaeros • Makani + Research
Tethered drone systems, aerostat infrastructure, and historic innovation from Alphabet.
AWEResearch
Asia
China • India • Japan
Academic-led development with participation from NUAA, Beihang, IITs and other institutions.
AWEResearch
Oceania
Australian Research Initiatives
University of Sydney & others building theoretical groundwork and prototype exploration.
AWEResearch
AWE Feasibility & Demonstration
Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) is more than lab tests—there are field campaigns that demonstrate reliability, logistics, and science value in extreme conditions. This page highlights real-world demonstrations (non-commercial) that inform the broader AWE ecosystem.
Case #1 — Inuit WindSled (Greenland & Antarctica)
Inuit WindSled is a zero-emission polar exploration platform propelled by traction kites, designed to support science on long traverses over ice sheets.
Expeditions
13 major expeditions (to Oct 2025)
Distance
27,000+ km
North Greenland 2025
1,541 km in 16 days
Track record
- 13 major expeditions across Greenland and Antarctica
- 27,000+ km cumulative distance (~16,800 miles)
- North Greenland Expedition 2025: 1,541 km (~957 miles) in 16 days
- 37 scientific projects supported across 14 disciplines
Recent science highlights (2025)
- Collaboration with University of Maine CCI: surface-snow sampling for PFAS and trace elements
- Field testing of mini-PIONEER (CNR–Institute of Polar Sciences): compact PM sensor for polar operation
Why it matters for AWE
- Operational proof that kite systems can sustain multi-week missions in extreme environments
- Provides environmental and meteorological observations useful for resource assessment and model validation
- Bridges R&D and field use by informing deployment, maintenance, and pilotage requirements
Contribute a non-commercial demonstration
Have a non-commercial AWE demonstration with documented field performance? AWEIA welcomes succinct submissions (1–2 paragraphs, key stats, and one image). Submissions will be reviewed for inclusion; we may embed provided media with attribution.