Harnessing high altitude wind power using light gas filled blimp

Abstract

This paper presents a simple concept of harvesting high altitude wind power using air-borne wind turbine-cum-electric generators supported by light gas filled blimp/aerostat. Air-borne wind turbine at high altitude extracts kinetic energy from high speed streamlined wind using buoyancy provided by the blimp. Using a suitable power electronic converter (PEC), extracted electrical power is sent to the ground using a tether. Blimp is tethered to the ground and the same tether is used for electricity transmission as well. This paper outlines major components used for harvesting high altitude wind power. Transmission of power at medium voltage DC reduces the transmission loss and volume of the conducting cable. The optimal transmission voltage level is determined that gives minimum weight of the tether for a given power level and proposes a simple and high power density power electronic converter, which converts low voltage AC to medium voltage DC in an air-borne unit. Simulation results obtained prove efficient power conversion using the proposed power electronic converter. In addition, comparative study between conventional wind energy harvesting system and high altitude wind energy harvesting system shows high altitude wind power is better in terms of capacity factor, cost of electricity (COE), ease of construction and power density than conventional wind power generating system.