Energy extraction from wind shear: Reviews of dynamic soaring

Abstract

This paper presents a review of research works related to the application of dynamic soaring for extracting and collecting energy from certain structures in the wind using a small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). By dynamic soaring, UAVs can extract energy from wind shear to produce electrical power or conduct a high-speed, long-endurance mission without adding extra weight. Combined with rapid technological development of UAVs, dynamic soaring might become a new way to explore nature's energy; extracted energy from wind shear might become a new source of renewable and sustainable energy. In this paper, we review the dynamic soaring and analyze the energy extraction process of it from the view of energy transformation. We also discuss the rate and efficiency of energy extraction as well as the possible applications, challenges and future of dynamic soaring in UAVs.