Low Level Jets (LLJs)

Analysis Resource Analysis / Meteorology
4

Cristina Archer summarized the airborne wind energy resource at the 10th International Airborne Wind Energy Conference (AWEC 2024) in Madrid.

I put again the video:

At 10:15:

On average, little “gain” above 500 m

At 11:30:
Cristina Archer indicated something like that 500 m is a good altitude.

At 11:35:

Exception: Low-Level Jets (LLJs)

  • Nocturnal;

  • Form during dry, cloud-free nights;

  • Strongest in early morning and decay after dawn;

  • Anti-cyclonic turning of wind (in northern hemisphere);

  • Peaks often lower than 500 m;

  • Jet winds often super-geostrophic;

  • Need high resolution to resolve them.

I would remark that, in spite of the exception of LLJs, these often occur within 500 m (“Peaks often lower than 500 m”).

This would mean that 500 m altitude is a good base for AWES, whether or not they exploit LLJs, these being a considerable plus to the extent that they are exploitable.

And that is approximately the altitude that several AWE projects, including SkySails, are working on. Perhaps harnessing LLJs require more resistant wings, but this would not fundamentally change the AWES perspective regarding target altitude.