UPWIND Energy Develops Portable High-Altitude Wind Generator
UPWIND Energy, a spin-off from the Centre for Research in Systems and Technologies (SYSTEC) at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), is developing a portable electricity generator based on high-altitude airborne wind energy systems (AWES). The technology offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to diesel generators commonly used in remote, off-grid, and hard-to-access locations.
The system replaces the tower and foundation of conventional wind turbines with a lightweight airborne platform connected to a ground-based generator by a tether, allowing access to stronger and more consistent winds at higher altitudes. This approach significantly reduces material use, simplifies deployment, and enables power generation in environments where traditional turbines are impractical. UPWIND Energy is particularly targeting remote communities, disaster-relief operations, and isolated economic activities that currently rely on expensive and polluting diesel solutions.
A key innovation behind the spin-off is its patented method for fully autonomous take-off and landing of fixed-wing AWES, developed over several years of research at SYSTEC. This breakthrough addresses one of the main technical challenges in the field while maintaining high energy efficiency, positioning UPWIND Energy as a distinctive player in the emerging airborne wind energy sector and reinforcing its mission to accelerate the global transition to renewable energy.
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