There have been other tests of networked kites Pierre . . but you’re right
Not enough to warrant hype
This was a very basic 3 kite triangular bridling between them supporting a load at the centre
I was on holiday in the Netherlands in 2016 and tied it together.
Further simple tests like this will be easy to rig…
One issue which makes me hesitant is that
Kite networks don’t do a lot to stabilise single line kites like these tied to network nodes
Much better to have some steerable attitude individually.
Collectively I think the upwind kites in this set were flown higher
But if you want advice on how to start going about building more scientific tests
I reckon the modern tech - AI can definitely guide an application call for funding with intent on a proposition like this …
Practical Engineering Steps to Develop and Test a Network-Based Kite Airborne Wind Energy System (AWES)
- Define System Requirements
- Performance Requirements: Specify power output, operating altitude, wind speed range, and energy storage needs.
- Design Requirements: Outline kite dimensions, materials, and modular components for the anchoring system.
- Operational Requirements: Detail deployment, operation, and maintenance procedures, including user safety and environmental considerations.
- Design and Simulation
- Aerodynamic Design: Use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to optimize kite shape and wingspan for maximum energy capture.
- Structural Analysis: Employ finite element analysis (FEA) to ensure kite and anchoring system durability under various loads.
- Control System Design: Develop algorithms for autonomous kite control, including real-time adjustments for wind conditions and terrain adaptability.
- Simulation Tools: Utilize multi-scale simulations to model system behavior and validate designs.
- Prototyping and Testing
- Component Testing: Test individual components (kite, anchors, winch) for performance, durability, and reliability.
- Wind Tunnel Tests: Conduct aerodynamic tests to refine kite design and performance.
- Small-Scale Prototype: Build and test a scaled-down version to validate basic concepts and identify design flaws.
- Full-Scale Prototype: Construct a full-scale system for comprehensive testing under controlled conditions.
- Field Testing
- Deployment: Test system deployment in various terrains (soil, rock, sand) and weather conditions (high winds, storms).
- Performance Evaluation: Measure energy output, system efficiency, and operational reliability.
- Safety Testing: Validate fail-safe mechanisms and redundancy under extreme conditions.
- User Feedback: Involve end-users in field testing to gather insights on usability and performance.
- Feasibility Study
- Market Analysis: Assess potential markets, competition, and regulatory environment.
- Cost Analysis: Evaluate production, deployment, and maintenance costs; identify cost reduction opportunities.
- Environmental Impact: Conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate environmental effects and ensure sustainability.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure system meets all relevant safety and environmental regulations.
- Iterative Design and Optimization
- Data Analysis: Use data from simulations and field tests to identify areas for improvement.
- Design Refinement: Implement design changes based on feedback and test results.
- Re-Testing: Conduct further testing to validate improvements and ensure performance targets are met.
- Deployment and Commercialization
- Production Scaling: Scale up production of validated designs, ensuring quality control and cost-effectiveness.
- Training and Support: Develop training programs for users and provide ongoing technical support.
- Monitoring and Maintenance: Implement remote monitoring systems for performance tracking and predictive maintenance.
- Market Launch: Launch the product into target markets, supported by marketing and distribution strategies.
- Post-Deployment Monitoring
- Performance Tracking: Continuously monitor system performance in various environments.
- User Feedback Loop: Collect and analyze user feedback to identify further improvements.
- System Updates: Regularly update software and hardware based on field data and user input.
By following these steps, the development and testing of a network-based kite AWES can be systematically advanced from concept to commercialization, ensuring a robust, efficient, and adaptable energy solution.
So says deepseek llama on groq in about 4 seconds of thinking