GOVERNMENT COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

CHACK BHALWAL, JAMMU

Department of

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Paper on

FLYING WINDMILLS (OR) FLYING

ELECTRIC GENERATOR (FEG)
TECHNOLOGY

Submitted by

ATUL SINGH SALARIA

[email protected] Ph: +918492875977

1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER NAME
PAGE NO.

CHAPTER 1

 WIND ENERGY
6
 COMPARISON BETWEEN RENEWABLE AND

NON RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCE

6

 INTRODUCTION OF CONVENTIONAL WINDMILL

7
 POWER CALCULATION
8

CHAPTER 2

 INTRODUCTION OF FLYING ELECTRIC

GENERATOR (FEG)
10

CHAPTER 3

 BEST SPOT TO PLACE FEG

12

CHAPTER 4

 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED ENERGY

CONVERSION SYSTEM
13

 ELECTRODYNAMIC DYNAMIC TETHER

14
 ENERGY STORAGEISSUE
15
 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DETAILS
15

CHAPTER 5

2
  FLIGHT CONTROL USING GPS AND GYRO DATA
17
 DETAILS OF 240KW DEMONSTRATING CRAFT
18
 COST AND PERFORMANCE PROJECTIONS AT THE LARGE
19

SCALE

CHAPTER 6

 TETHERED BALLONS AND FLYING WINDMILL

21
 LIFTING MECHANISM
24
 HOW DOES IT WORK
26

CHAPTER 7

 ESTIMATED COST
29

CHAPTER 8

 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FEG

30

CHAPTER 9

 APPLICATIONS OF FEG
31

CHAPTER 10

 CONCLUSION
32

REFERENCE
33

3
 LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO. NAME OF FIGURES

PAGE NO.

Fig.1.1 Conventional wind turbines

7

Fig.1.2 Air density change with elevation

9

Fig.2.1 Photograph of early two rotor prototype in flight

10

Fig.2.2 Rendering of sky windpower corp’s planned

240 kw , four rotor demonstration craft

11

Fig.5.1 Relationship between the achievable gps derived

17

Fig.6.1 Flying windmill

21

4
 Fig.6.2 Mageen air rotor system
21

Fig.6.3 Variation of wind speed with height

22

Fig.6.4 Details of M.A.R.S

23

Fig.6.5 Helium gas filled in the inflatable structure

24

Fig.6.6 Arrangement of Mars

25

Fig.6.7 Magnus effect

25

Fig.6.8 Floating of Mars

26

Fig.6.9 Working of Mars

26

Fig.6.10 Construction of Mars

27

Fig.6.11 Performance of power flow Mars

28

Fig.9.1 Application of Mars

31

ABSTRACT

High Altitude Wind Power uses flying electric generator (FEG)

technology in the form of what have been more popularly called
flying windmills, is a proposed renewable energy project over rural or
low - populated areas, to produce around 12,000 MW of electricity

5
 with only 600 well clustered rotorcraft kites that use only simple auto
gyro physics to generate far more kinetic energy than a nuclear plant .
According to Sky Wind Power; the overuse of fossil fuels and the
overabundance of radioactive waste from nuclear energy plants are
taking our planet once again down a path of destruction, for something
that is more expensive and far more dangerous in the long run. FEG
technology is just cheaper, cleaner and can provide more energy than
those environmentally unhealthy methods of the past, making it a
desirable substitute/alternative.
The secret to functioning High Altitude Wind Power is efficient tether
technology that reaches 15,000 feet in the air, far higher than birds will
fly, but creating restricted airspace for planes and other aircraft.
The same materials used in the tethers that hold these balloons in place
can also hold flying windmills in place; and with energy cable
technology getting ever lighter and stronger. Flying windmills appear to
be 90 percent more energy efficient in wind tunnel tests than their land-
based counterparts; that is three times more efficiency due to simple yet
constantly abundant and effective high altitude wind power, available
only 15,000 feet in the air by way of clustered rotor craft kites tethered
with existing anti-terrorist technologies like those used on the
Mexican/American border radar balloons.
High Altitude wind power offers itself as a clean and more powerful
source of power generation than anything available on-the grid at present
and if sky wind power corp. has their way, FEG technology and flying
windmills will take the lead of a more sustainable future within the
decade.
Flying electric generators (FEGs) are proposed to harness kinetic energy
in the Powerful, persistent high altitude winds. Average power density
can be as high as 20 kW/m2 in approximately 1000 km wide band
around latitude 30 0 in both Earth hemispheres. At 15,000 feet (4600 m)
and above, tethered rotorcraft, with four or more rotors mounted on
each unit, could give individual rated outputs of up to 40 MW. These
aircraft would be highly controllable and could be flown in arrays,
making them a large-scale source of reliable wind power. The
aerodynamics, electrics, and control of these craft are described in detail,
along with a description of the tether mechanics. A 240 kW craft has
been designed to demonstrate the concept at altitude. It is anticipated
that large-scale units would make low cost electricity available for grid
supply, for hydrogen production, or for hydro-storage from large-scale
generating facilities.

6
 CHAPTER 1

 WIND ENERGY
Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating
of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and
rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns are modified by the earth's
terrain, bodies of water, and vegetation. Humans use this wind flow, or
motion energy, for many purposes: sailing, flying a kite, and even
generating electricity.
The terms wind energy or wind power describe the process by which the
wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines
convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This
mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain
or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into
electricity.
It is a form of renewable energy resource.

 COMPARISON BETWEEN RENEWABLE AND NON

RENEWABLE RESOURCES
BASIS FOR RENEWABLE NON-RENEWABLE
COMPARISON RESOURCES RESOURCES

Meaning Renewable resources refers to Non-renewable resources are

the resources which replaces the one that are not capable of
itself naturally, in a short replacing itself, in near future.
period.

Example

Nature Sustainable Exhaustible

Presence Unlimited quantity Limited quantity

7
 BASIS FOR RENEWABLE NON-RENEWABLE
COMPARISON RESOURCES RESOURCES

Environment Yes No
friendly

Cost Low Comparatively high

Rate of renewal Rate of renewal is greater than Rate of renewal is lower than
the rate of consumption. the rate of consumption.

 INTRODUCTION OF CONVENTIONAL WINDMILL

Fig 1.1 Conventional wind turbines

Wind results from air in motion. The circulation of air in the atmosphere
is caused by the non-uniform heating of the earth’s surface by the sun.
Despite the wind’s intermittent nature, wind patterns at any particular
site remain remarkably constant year by year. Average wind speeds are
greater in hilly and coastal areas than they are well inland. The winds
also tend to blow more consistently and with greater strength over the
surface of the water where there is a less surface drag.
Wind speeds increases with height. They have traditionally been
measured at a standard height of ten meters where they are found to be
20-25% greater than close to the surface. At a height of 60m they may

8
 be 30-60% higher because of the reduction in the drag effect of the
earth’s surface.
Conventional wind energy collectors are horizontal axis machines eg.
Dutch type wind mill and vertical axis machines eg. Darrieus rotor.
In spite of their advantages, the conventional methods do suffer from
several disadvantages. Some of them are as follows:
 The turbines may create a lot of noise, which indirectly
contributes to noise pollution.
 Wind can never be predicted. Since wind energy will require
knowledge of weather and wind conditions on long term basis, it may
be impractical. Therefore, in areas where a large amount of wind
energy is needed one cannot depend completely on wind.
 Many potential wind farms, places where wind energy can be
produced on a large scale, are far away from places for which wind
energy is best suited. Therefore, the economical nature o wind energy
may take a beating in terms of new sub stations and transmission lines.

 Wind turbines have a negative impact on birds, which can
be killed or injured through collision with the rotating blades.
 Wind turbines cause loss of habitat to wildlife due to the
disturbance from its noise, movement of blades, subtle food
chain changes and electromagnetic fields that in some animal
species affects their sonar systems.
 Wind turbines cause interference to nearby televisions
(TV’s within a couple of kilometers of the wind turbine).
 The most important disadvantage of conventional types is
that there is not always (enough) wind. Whereas at higher
altitudes, wind conditions are much better.

 POWER CALCULATION

The formula for how to calculate power is:

Where:
P = Power output, kilowatts
Cp = Maximum power coefficient, ranging from 0.25 to 0.45, dimension
less (theoretical maximum = 0.59)
ρ = Air density, lb/ft3
A = Rotor swept area, ft2 or π D2/4 (D is the rotor diameter in ft, π =
3.1416)
V = Wind speed, mph
k = 0.000133 A constant to yield power in kilowatts. (Multiplying the

9
 above kilowatt answer by 1.340 converts it to horse- power [i.e., 1 kW =
1.340 horsepower]).
The rotor swept area, A, is important because the rotor is the part of the
turbine that captures the wind energy. So, the larger the rotor, the more
energy it can capture.
The air density, ρ, changes slightly with air temperature and with
elevation. The ratings for wind turbines are based on standard conditions
of 59° F (15° C) at sea level. A density correction should be made for
higher elevations as shown in the Air Density Change with Elevation
graph. A correction for temperature is typically not needed for predicting
the long-term performance of a wind turbine.

Fig 1.2 Air density change with elevation

10
 CHAPTER 2

 INTRODUCTION TO FEG

(WINDPOWER CORP’S CRAFT)

Two major jet streams, the Sub-Tropical Jet and the Polar Front Jet exist
in both Earth hemispheres. These enormous energy streams are formed
by the combination of tropical region sunlight falling and Earth rotation.
This wind resource is invariably available wherever the sun shines and
the Earth rotates. These jet stream winds offer an energy benefit between
one and two orders of magnitude greater than equal rotor-area, ground
mounted wind turbines
operating in the lowest regions of the Earth’s boundary layer. In the
USA,Caldeira and O’Doherty and Roberts have shown that average
power densities of around 17 kW/m2 are
available. In Australia, Atkinson et al show that 19 kW/m2 is
achievable.These winds are available in northern India, China,
Japan,Africa, the Mediterranean, and elsewhere.
Various systems have been examined to capture this energy, and
these include tethered balloons, tethered fixed-winged craft, tether
climbing and descending kites, and rotorcraft.
Our preferred option is a tethered rotorcraft & tethered balloons,
tethered rotor craft - variant of the gyroplane, where conventional rotors
generate power and simultaneously produce sufficient lift to keep the
system aloft. This arrangement, using a twin-rotor configuration, has
been described and flown at low altitude by Roberts and Blackler (Fig.
1). More recent developments have produced a quadruple rotor
arrangement (Fig. 2). Commercialization of the quad-rotor technology
could significantly contribute to greenhouse gas reductions.
Tethered rotorcraft, with four or more rotors in each unit, could
harness the powerful, persistent jet streams, and should be able to
compete effectively with all other energy production methods.
Generators at altitude also avoid community concern associated with
ground-based wind turbine appearance and

11
 noise. Bird strike problems are also less. However, tethered generators
would need to be placed in dedicated airspace, which would restrict
other aircraft. Arrays of tethered generators would not be flown near
population centers unless and until operating experience assured the
safety of such a configuration.

Fig. 2.1 Photograph of early two-rotor prototype in

flight
At this time, the best tether for the rotorcraft appears to be a
single, composite electro-mechanical cable made of insulated aluminium
conductors and high strength fiber. When operating as a power source,
two, four, or more rotors are inclined at an
adjustable angle to the on-coming wind, generally a 40 degree angle.
The wind on the inclined rotors generates lift, gyroplane-style, and
forces rotation, which generates electricity, windmill-style. Electricity is
conducted down the tether to a ground station.

The craft simultaneously generates lift and electricity. However,

it can also function as an elementary powered helicopter with ground-
supplied electrical energy, and with the generators then functioning as
motors. The craft can thus ascend or descend from altitude as an
elementary, tethered helicopter. During any lull periods aloft, power may
be supplied to maintain altitude, or to land on a small groundbase. A
ground winch to reel the tether could be used to retrieve the craft in an
emergency.

12
 Fig. 2.2 Rendering of Sky WindPower Corp.’s planned 240
kW, four-rotor
demonstration craft

CHAPTER 3

 THE BEST SPOTS TO PLACE FEGs

Based on the ERA-15 reanalysis of the European Centre for

Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, we calculated the seasonal-mean,
climate-zone wind power density from December 1978 to February 1994
.Computed power densities in high altitude winds exceed a 10 kW/m2
seasonal average at the jet stream’s typical latitudes and altitudes. This is
the highest power density for a large renewable energy resource
anywhere on Earth. It exceeds the power densities of sunlight, near
surface winds, ocean currents, hydropower, tides, geothermal, and other
large-scale renewable resources. For comparison, Earth surface solar
energy is typically about 0.24 kW/m2, and photovoltaic cell conversion
of energy into electricity has an efficiency several times less than that of
wind power. High power densities would be uninteresting if only a small
amount of

total power were available. However, wind power is roughly 100

times the power used by all human civilization. Total power dissipated
in winds is about 15 times 10W. Total Human thermal power
consumption is about 13 times 10 W. Removing 1% of high altitude
winds’ available energy is not expected to have adverse environmental
consequences.

13
 High altitude winds are a very attractive potential source of
power, because this vast energy is high density and persistent.
Furthermore, high altitude winds are typically just a few kilometres
away from energy users. No other energy source combines potential
resource size, density, and proximity so attractively.

The wind speed data from across the globe is recorded at heights from
263 feet to almost 40,000 feet over the last 30 years, and calculated
which regions would generate the most power. According to the study,
Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney and New York City all sit on a goldmine of
stratospheric wind power.

During the summer months, Delhi and Mumbai could also benefit from
sky high turbines. But unfortunately for India, the gusts die down in the
fall and spring, reducing the energy density in the atmosphere.

CHAPTER 4

 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ENERGY

CONVERSION SYSTEM

The currently proposed new tethered craft consists of four

identical rotors mounted in an airframe which flies in the powerful and
persistent winds. The tether’s insulated aluminum conductors bring
power to ground, and are wound with strong Kevlar-family cords. The
conductor weight is a critical compromise between power loss and heat
generation. We propose employing aluminum conductors with tether
transmission voltages of 15 kV and higher, because they are light weight
for the energy transmitted. To minimize total per kWh system cost and
reduce tether costs, the design allows higher per meter losses and higher
conductor heating than does
traditional utility power transmission. Depending on flight altitude,
electrical losses between the tether and the converted power’s insertion
into the commercial grid are expected to be as much as 20%, and are
included in energy cost estimates
described in detail below.
14
 The flying electric generator units (FEGs) envisioned for
commercial power production have a rated capacity in the 3 to 30 MW
range. Generators arrays are contemplated for wind farms in airspace
restricted from commercial and private aircraft use. To supply all U.S.
energy needs, airspace for power generation is calculated to restrict far
less airspace than is already restricted from civil aviation for other
purposes. While similar in concept to current wind farms, in most cases
flying generator arrays may be located much closer to demand load
centers.
When operating as an electrical power source, four or more
rotors are inclined at an adjustable, controllable angle to the on-coming
wind. In general the rotors have their open faces at an angle of up to 50
degree to this wind. This disk incidence is reduced in various wind
conditions to hold the power output at the rated value without exceeding
the design tether load.Rotorcraft can also function as an elementary
powered helicopter as described.
The capacity, or generating factor calculations account for wind
lulls or storms during which the generators must be landed. However,
the projected capacity for flying electric generators is far higher than for
the best ground-based wind turbine sites because of the persistent winds
at high altitudes.
High altitude wind speeds and other conditions are measured at 12 A.M.
and P.M. at major airports worldwide by radiosonde weather balloons,
and are reported on NOAA and other government websites. It is thus
possible to calculate what the past capacity of flying generators at those
locations would have been.
The U.S. average capacity factor would have been about 80% for
craft flying at 10,000 meters. At Detroit’s latitude, the capacity factor
was calculated at 90%, at San Diego’s, 71%. This compares to capacity
factors of about 35 percentage for ground-based wind turbines operating
at the best sites.
Fig. 2 above and Fig. 3 below show the four-rotor assembly with
four identical rotors arranged, two forward, and two aft. The plan-form
of the rotor centerlines is approximately square. Adjacent rotors rotate in
opposite directions; diagonally
opposite rotors rotate in the same direction.
In this particular four rotor assembly, craft attitude in pitch, roll,
and yaw can be controlled by collective rotor pitch change. No cyclic
pitch control is needed to modify the blades’ pitch as they rotate, as is
needed in helicopter technology.
This should help reduce maintenance costs. Rotor collective pitch
variation then varies the thrust developed by each rotor in the format
described below using GPS/Gyro supplied error signal data.
(1) Total craft thrust (and total power output) is controlled by
simultaneously equal, collective pitch action on all rotors.
(2) Roll control is by differential, but equal, collective pitch action
between the port and starboard pair of rotors.
(3) Pitch control is by differential, but equal, collective pitch action
between the fore and aft pair of rotors.

15
 (4) Yaw control, via differential torque reaction, is by differential, but
equal, collective pitch changes on pairs of opposing rotors.

Ground-based wind turbines experience surface feature

turbulence not present at high altitude. In addition, turbulence reaction is
different for a FEG. Ground-based turbines are, more or less, rigidly
mounted on support towers. Even when flexible units and procedures are
used, direct and gust-induced moment loads are significant for these
ground-based facilities. Considerable European and US research and
development has been directed towards relieving load excursions from
nearsurface
wind gusts.
Flying electric generators have a great, inherent advantage over
equivalent ground-based facilities in their ability to reduce gust loads.
This is due to tether cable flexibility, both as built-in elasticity and as
changeable shape (drape) under gust conditions. This flexibility very
significantly alleviates gust loads and torques applied to the rotors,
gearboxes, etc. This means that gust loads in flying units are reduced by
more than an order of magnitude compared to ground-based turbine gust
loads. Sky WindPower Corp. has developed programs that demonstrate
this gust alleviation process. Section V details the flight performance of
these flying generators.

 ELECTRODYNAMIC TETHER

Tether is the connecting media between the turbines up in the air to the
grid on the surface. Electrodynamic tethers are long conducting wires,
such as the one deployed from the tether satellite, which can operate on
electromagnetic principles as generators, by converting their kinetic
energy to electrical energy, or as motors, converting electrical energy to
kinetic energy. Electric potential is generated across a conductive tether
by its motion through the Earth's magnetic field. The choice of the metal
conductor to be used in an electrodynamic tether is determined by a
variety of factors. Primary factors usually include high electrical
conductivity, and low density. Secondary factors, depending on the
application, include cost, strength, and melting point.
An electrodynamic tether is attached to an object, the tether
being oriented at an angle to the local vertical between the object and a
planet with a magnetic field. When the tether cuts the planet's magnetic
field, it generates a current, and thereby converts some of the orbiting
body's kinetic energy to electrical energy. As a result of this process, an
electrodynamic force acts on the tether and attached object, slowing their
orbital motion. The tether's far end can be left bare, making electrical
contact with the ionosphere via the phantom loop. Functionally,
electrons flow from the space plasma into the conductive tether, are
passed through a resistive load in a control unit and are emitted into the
space plasma by an electron emitter as free electrons. In principle,
compact high-current tether power generators are possible and, with
basic hardware, 10 to 25 kilowatts appears to be attainable.

16
  ENERGY STORAGE ISSUE

Electric utilities want constantly available “dispatchable” power, which

cannot be provided economically if capacity factors are low, such as the
thirty percent that is typical of ground based wind turbine sites.
However, with the high capacity factors, such as 85 percent, that are
expected at average FEG sites in the United States and many other
places in the world (especially in the mid-latitudes), this dispatchable
electricity becomes economical. This is because the expected storage
requirement in connection with FEG derived electrical energy is storage
for only the shorter periods when FEGs are grounded due to inadequate
winds or bad storms.
Pumped water storage, where available, is a very economical means
used now for such temporary storage. A well known example is used by
the utility PG&E in California to pump water up to a high lake during
low electrical-use hours and then have that water generate electricity at
high demand times on the way back to a lower lake.

 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DETAILS

Flying electric generators need to ascend and remain aloft for

short periods on grid-sourced energy. In low-wind conditions, only a
small proportion of output rating as grid sourced energy is required to
raise or maintain the craft aloft. Voltages at the terminals of both the
generator/motor and at the grid interface need to be kept within designed
tolerances and/or be adjusted by timely voltage regulation.
In a national regulated electricity market, such as that found in
Europe and elsewhere, a System Impact Study (SIS) is required to
connect a new generator to the grid if the generator’s capacity is above a
minimum level, e.g. 5 MW. Even non-dispatchable “embedded
generators“ require Grid System Impact Assessments. The generator
proponent usually pays for the generator-to-grid network connection.
Land and sea locations for generation from renewable energy sources,
especially wind energy, are often remote from the existing grid, hence,
connection costs are often 50% of the total investment for new
generating capacity. Also where a renewable energy source generator is
not n-1 reliable for availability, the Network Connection Contracts
usually include the costs of back-up supply contingencies. These relate
to network charges when the renewable generator is not supplying.
Flying electric generators at altitude will have a relatively high
availability, around 80%. Reliability and peak premium sales could be
enhanced by a link to a pumped storage facility for off-peak
filling/storage and peak-release energy sales and
delivery. Energy could be stored as hydrogen gas produced from
electrolysis, or as water pumped-back and re-released for hydroelectric
generation.
Conventional ground-based wind energy systems harvest only
about 30% availability. Flying electric generators, in single units of 20
MW or more, can achieve about 80% availability with suitable sitting at
land or sea locations. These generators at altitude involve power

17
 transmission over lengths of between 4 and 8 km. Flying
generator/tether voltages between 11 kV and 25 kV ac could be used on
units of 30 MW at the most extreme altitudes. Also there are recent
modern innovations, which use powerformers/motorformers. The latter,
being developed by equipment suppliers such as ABB, Siemens,
Mitsubishi, etc., would allow polymeric cable stators and tether voltages
at say 33 kVac or more. Grid interfacing would then be easier at bulk
energy levels.
The jet-stream location can drift north and south, so seasonal
mobility from one prepared site to another could be a feature of flying
generators’ grid utilization and optimization. This could be
advantageous in seasonal summer/winter
demand-side management through peak-matching generator placement
or relocations. This would include matching seasonal peaks for rural
industries, such as grape processing, cotton harvesting, and irrigation to
urban air-conditioning etc.
Because arrays of flying generators could move north or south to
follow seasonal shifts in wind patterns or power demand, it could be
advantageous to have “plug-in” flying generators at pre-arranged sites
along an existing grid 33 kV, or more, overhead feeder with minimal
interfacing. This would use, for example, a HV Live Line HV Bypass
cable, sometimes called Temporary cable, with a mobile or transportable
High Voltage Generator switchyard circuit
Breaker /metering unit.
If the tether arrangement were to contain three conductors, two
could form the single-phase circuit, while the third could be the ground
wire and control cabling function. Three-phase balance is then achieved
by adding other nearby generator outputs to form single-phase
combinations for grid connection. Alternatively, if necessary, a
transformer with OLTC could be used, similar to that used for monoplex
or 50 kVac duplex rail electric traction supply. This would be similar to
a rail traction supply transformer of 50 MVA and 132 kV three phase to
25 kV ac positive and 25 kV ac negative to centre tap earth.
When using a shipboard site, fixed ocean site, or a site adjacent
to a water-reservoir which is remote from the desired FEG ground-
surface connection location, then the use of HVDC on tethers, with
surface/submarine cabling, should be considered in combination with a
HVDC voltage motorformer/powerformerTM design. In addition, a
unit’s DC motor/generator commutation by conventional brushes might
be facilitated by more modern electronic switching or by
triggered Vacuum Gaps (TVG).
Where an AC interfacing transformer, or a HV AC /DC
Converter Station (usually with an included transformer) is required for
grid interfacing connectivity, the economics of scale would encourage
more multiple-unit connections.
A 60 MW to 150 MW grid connection composed of three 20 to
50 MW airborne units with a powerformerTM, or HVDC AC/DC
connection, can perform as a synchronous condenser, thereby adding AC
grid stability advantages in the SIS. This will depend on grid siting.

18
 Starting and retrieval characteristics of flying units at specific
grid connections could be an important SIS review item. A higher fault
level at the connection site is desirable for a large motor start up.
Generator and tether performance depend on a good lightning storm
detection system. Surge protection schemes and hardening of the control
systems are also under examination.

CHAPTER 5

 FLIGHT CONTROL USING GPS AND GYRO DATA

Very accurate control is needed to precisely maintain a desired position

in the sky. GPS with gyroscopes is an ideal way to provide the reference
data necessary to provide this control.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) consists of a constellation
of 24 satellites that provide a continuous navigation capability to users at
any location on (or near) Earth in all weather conditions. With this
system, currently operating with 29 satellites, real-time, three
dimensional position information with accuracies on the order of 5-10 m
can be achieved.
Main error sources for the system include signal propagation
effects through the atmosphere, satellite orbit and timing errors, and GPS
receiver noise and signal reflection (multipath). When used in
differential mode, where measurement corrections are computed at a
GPS reference station sited on a known location, accuracies can be
improved quite easily to within a few meters (DGPS).
Although generally used for positioning and navigation, GPS can
also be used for platform attitude determination and control. If three or
more GPS receivers and antennas are mounted on a platform, such as an
FEG, the GPS carrier phase data can be used to directly estimate the roll,
pitch, and heading of the platform in real-time at a rate of 1-20 Hz [18].
The attitude parameter accuracy is primarily a function of the
signal multipath, and antenna separation (wider spacing yields higher
attitude accuracies – Fig. 5). For the FEG, multipath could occur through
the reflection of the signals off the structure itself. However, when
antennas are separated by over 5 m on the FEG, attitude accuracy should

19
 be better than 0.25 degree with multipath present, which is well within
the required attitude control specifications.

Fig.5.1 Relationship between the achievable GPS-

derived

heading and pitch accuracy and antenna separation

Two other factors must be considered when using GPS for
attitude determination and control on the FEG. One is the rigidity of the
structure itself. Antennas with maximum separation increase the
achievable accuracy, but function best with antennas located on a rigid
frame. A second factor is system performance during significant FEG
nose-up angles. These angles range from 0 degree when hovering up to
45 degree when generating. While hovering, some GPS satellites may be
obscured since the FEG may block reception signals along the line-of-
sight. Tests show that attitude parameters can still be estimated up to at
least a 45 degree tilt, however, a gyroscope used as
an auxiliary attitude sensor, augments GPS availability and reduces
noise. This has been implemented for many applications, and overall
accuracy is a function of the gyro sensor characteristics.

 DETAILS OF A 240 KW DEMONSTRATION CRAFT

Sky WindPower Corp. has completed the design for a 240 kW

demonstration craft. Fig. 2 is an isometric view of this craft.
Two units will demonstrate the commercial viability, or
otherwise, of the flying generator concept. These craft have four, two-
bladed rotors turning in paired counter-rotation as described above. The
rotors are 10.7 m in diameter with solidity of 5%, and the un-twisted
blades are of conventional construction. Collective pitch control on the
rotors will be via electric actuators. The craft is designed for operations
up to 15,000 feet (4600 m).
The rotors are connected to four separate gearboxes, which drive
four motor/generator units supplied by AC Propulsion. These electrical
machines are of high armature speed to ensure a satisfactory power-to-

20
 weight ratio. They are also electrically linked to ensure that rotor speeds
do not vary with one another.
Typical armature speeds are 24,000 rpm. The four power units are
mounted in an elementary, low-drag fuselage of fiber composite
construction. The all-up weight of each craft is estimated at around 1140
lbs (520 kg).
The electro-mechanical tether is designed to transmit 240kW at a
voltage of 15kV. The electrical transmission efficiency is 90%. The
tether has two insulated aluminium conductors embedded in a Vectran
fiber composite. The tether’s specific weight is around 115 kg/km at a
diameter of 10mm. A sample has been constructed. The electrical
ground facility is configured for a DC supply to and from the platform.
The motor/generators are series connected.
The craft’s rated output is developed at an 18.4 m/s wind speed
at an altitude of 15,000 feet (4600 m). The 11.5 m/s autorotation speed is
at the same altitude. The power consumption in no wind (hover) at
15,000 feet (4600 m) is estimated to be around 75 kW. Rotor speeds are
in the range of 130 to 300 rpm. The craft in this demonstrator is
designed to withstand a wind of 35 m/s at 15,000 feet (4600 m).
Throughout the operating envelope the craft’s nose-up attitude varies in
the range 10 and 45 degree. At no time during these operations does the
blade incidence on the retreating blade exceed acceptable values at the
conventional reference station, while tip Mach numbers never exceed
about 0.6.
Finally, there is some merit in the view that the best return on
investment of these craft will be dependent on an optimal, operating
altitude. At low altitudes the average wind velocity wanes, while at
higher altitudes, adjacent to the jet stream core, the costs produce a less
than beneficial return, because of the need for a higher transmission
voltage as the altitude increases. Thus it will be necessary to find the
best return from an investment as a function of the maximum operating
altitude.
This aspect will be developed and confirmed over 12 months of flights
planned during the demonstration program.

 COST AND PERFORMANCE PROJECTIONS AT THE

LARGE SCALE

A. Scalability Considerations
As discussed in section IV. , the tethered rotorcraft is inherently
scalable in size and output, from small prototype configurations of
below 240 kW, through commercially viable systems with competitive
costs of energy, in the range of 3MW to 30 MW per craft. Larger sizes
are more economical and may utilize more than four rotors to maintain
economy and manageability of materials.

21
 In this section we analyze cost and performance of a four rotor,
3.4 MW (platform-rated) configurations as might be deployed in an
array over various sites in the U.S. Because of losses described earlier,
the actual output after conditioning
would be about 20% lower. The 3.4 MW size was chosen because it is
large enough to provide competitive economics in a four-rotor
configuration, and a rotor design that is within the scope of currently
available methods and materials.

B. Weights and Costs

For cost illustration purposes, we use a 100 MW array,
comprised of 3.4 MW FEGs. The cost estimates are based on 250
FEGs/year production rate assuming prior production of 150 FEGs, in
accordance with NREL guidelines. A 3.4 MW platform-rated craft is
estimated to weigh 21,000 lbs (9500 kg) and cost $1,360,000. Adding
ground systems and production profits brings the total to $2,260,000 per
3.4 MW. The balance of station costs for the 100 MW array, including
site preparation, facilities and equipment, spare parts and construction is
$4,210,000. Taken together these initial capital costs come to
$71,200,000 per 100 MW.

C. Performance and Net Annual Energy Production

Three design sites were chosen for analyzing the output of the
100 MW array, Topeka, Kansas, Detroit, Michigan and San Diego,
California. Topeka is a "Great Plains" site, Detroit is a site where a great
deal of energy is used, and San Diego is
a site where capturing power from the wind is not normally thought to
be practical.
Net Annual Energy Production kWh/yr is determined by
multiplying rated power by a site capacity factor. Capacity factors for
FEGs of the proposed design are based on wind statistics provided by
NOAA radiosonde readings for major airports near the design sites,
normally taken daily at noon and midnight. FEGs are to be flown at the
most efficient altitude for prevailing wind conditions, and capacity factor
is calculated in the normal manner.
In making these calculations we have taken into account the
projected operating characteristics of the 3.4 MW design through the
range of altitudes up to 9,000 meters. Over the current range of interest
the rated wind speed has been
approximated to the linear variation (4), while the air density varies
according to NACA Standard Atmosphere values.
Capacity factors have been computed for the three design sites
using software we developed, from data downloaded from NOAA. The
data is for the year starting September 20,
2000 and ending September 21, 2001.
V = 14m/s + 5.7m/s * H/10000m

Where,
V Required wind speed in meters per second to operate at rated capacity,
and

22
 H is Altitude in meters.

Capacity factors for Topeka, Detroit, and San Diego are 91%,
90% and 70%, respectively. As a reserve against storms, maintenance
and mechanical problems, we assume 10% downtime. This gives Net
Annual Energy Production figures of 581 GWh/yr, 575 GWh/yr and 447
GWh/yr, respectively for a 100 MW array at each of the three sites.

D. Projected Cost of Energy

Annual Operating Expenses (AOE) include Land Lease Costs

(LLC), Operations & Maintenance (O&M) and Levelized
Replacement/Overhaul Costs (LRC). AOE projections are necessarily
subjective, since no plant like this
currently exists. O&M costs are derived from an $82,000/yr estimate for
a 3.4 MW FEG, multiplied by 29.4 FEGs/100 MW plant. Life-limited
components are anticipated to require replacement at 10 years and 20
years. Tether longevity is a
risk. Replacement cost is estimated at 80% of the initial capital cost for
the whole system. Expressed in per kWh terms, the AOE for the Topeka,
Detroit, and San Diego sites are estimated at $0.0102/kWh,
$0.0103/kWh, and $0.0129/kWh,
respectively.

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 CHAPTER 6

 TETHERED BALLOONS OR FLYING WINDMILL

AIRBORNE WIND TURBINE

Fig.6.1.Flying Windmill

It is a windmill similar to a conventional one in its working principle but

here the rotor and generator will be floating in air just like a hot air
balloon. The generator will be enclosed in an inflatable structure and
this structure is held by a Tether and tied to the ground. Canadian
engineer Fred Ferguson, specialized in airships, proposed an innovative
system called as Magenn Air Rotor System (MARS). Magenn’s design
is radically different from other windmills on the market it would not use
propeller blades. Instead, it would be a helium blimp, with Savories-
style scoops causing it to rotate around motors at the attachment-points
to its tether.

24
 Fig.6.2Magenn Air Rotor System

The helium filled MARS is a buoyant turbine made of vectran – a

bulletproof material that is stronger than steel of the same thickness –
and is connected to the ground by an insulated conductive tether. The
unit can rise to a height of 300 to 1,000 feet to take advantage of more
constant and higher wind speeds at higher altitudes that conventional
wind turbines are unable to reach. While in the sky, the MARS turbine
spins in the wind, generating electricity. The current is transferred down
the tether for consumption, battery storage or transmitted to a power
grid.

25
 Fig 6.3 variation of wind speed with height

The MARS units will have an internal bladder system to maintain

pressure. Helium leakage is not an issue under normal conditions; excess
air turbulence and gusting might present a small risk but this craft has
been designed to withstand challenges. Unlike in a child's balloon,
helium leaks at a rate of only half of a percent per month in these
designs.

Helium is a light inert gas and the second most abundant element in the
universe. Helium provides extra lift and will keep MARS at altitude in
very low winds or calm air. It is also plentiful, inexpensive and
environmentally safe. Helium's inert quality over other lifting gases
makes it very acceptable.

MARS will be constructed with composite fabrics used in airships today.

The fabric will be either woven Dacron or Vectran with an inner
laminated coating of Mylar to reduce porosity and an exterior coating of

26
 Tedlar which will provide ultra-violet protection, scuff resistance and
color.

Over speed controls are built into the design of MARS. On the larger
MARS units, excessive speed is controlled by moderating tether height.
Pressure is constantly monitored and controlled. Rotation speed, wind
speed, and generator functions are also monitored. Depending on size,
either DC or AC generators will be used, with rectification as necessary.

MARS units must and will have lighting every 50 feet, and the lights
must flash once per second. All MARS units must and will have a
mechanism to quickly deflate in case a unit gets detached from its tether.

Fig 6.4 details of M.A.R.S

Kites and 'helicopters' come down when there is insufficient wind;

kytoons and blimps resolve the matter. Also, bad weather such as
lightning or thunderstorms, could temporarily suspend use of the
machines, probably requiring them to be brought back down to the
ground and covered. Some schemes require a long power cable.and, if
the turbine is high enough, an aircraft exclusion zone. As of 2008, no
commercial airborne wind turbines are in regular operation.

Magenn Power Inc. is taking orders for their first commercial product, a
100kW device with a price tag of $500,000. (MARS-Magnenn Air Rotor
System(Tethered Balloons))

The Magenn machines are large ridged dirigibles that rotate on their
tethers. The machines require lots of helium to stay aloft and they are
designed to work between 500 - 1000 ft. elevation.

27
 Magenn is targeting the device as an alternative to diesel generator sets
for remote and emergency power applications. Relatively low-level
operation of this systems means that it can operate just about anywhere
without regard to airspace restrictions.

 LIFTING MECHANISM

Fig.6.5.Helium Gas Filled In The Inflatable Structure

The Magenn Air Rotor System (MARS) is the next generation of wind
turbines with cost and performance advantages over existing systems.
MARS is a lighter-than-air tethered wind turbine that rotates about a
horizontal axis in response to wind, generating electrical energy. Helium
sustains the Magenn Air Rotor System, which ascends to an altitude as
selected by the operator for the best winds. Its rotation also generates the
“Magnus” effect. This aerodynamic phenomenon provides additional
lift, keeps the MARS device stabilized, positions MARS within a very
controlled and restricted location, and finally, causes MARS to pull up
overhead to maximize altitude rather than drift downwind on its tether.

MARS is filled with helium gas, which is inert and non-flammable. The
lifting gas creates a lift force that is in excess of the total weight of the
system. The helium provides at least twice the positive lift versus the
overall weight of the MARS unit. Additional lift is also created when the
rotor is spinning in a wind. The aerodynamic effect that produces
additional lift is called the Magnus Effect

The combined lifting effect from buoyant (helium) lift and aerodynamic
(Magnus) lift help stabilize the Air Rotor against "leaning" in the wind.
In tests, an Air Rotor went straight up and held a near vertical position in
various wind speeds, since the Magnus effect increases as the wind

28
 speed increases. Research indicates that maximum lean will never be
more than 45 degrees from the vertical.

Fig.6.6.Arrangement of Mars

Helium is not the only thing that keeps the object aloft. Combined with
its shape, the spinning generates lift using what is called the Magnus
effect, which also tends to keep the craft overhead on its tether, rather
than drifting downwind. The bigger the MARS unit, the easier it is to
build heavier stronger structures, envelopes, and generators. As an
example, the largest MARS units planned (100' x 300') will have tens of
tons of buoyant (helium) lift. This is well in excess of the overall Air
Rotor system weight.

Due to the inherent elegance of the design, the Magenn Air Rotors will
always weather-vane properly. Regardless of wind direction, the
deflection disk will ensure MARS units will automatically rotate toward
the wind, with the Magnus aerodynamic effect creating additional lift.

29
 Fig 6.7. Magnus effect

 HOW DOES IT WORK

Fig.6.8.Floating Of Mars

30
 Fig.6.9.Working Of Mars

Fig6.10..Construction Of Mars

As the rotor of the windmill rotates due to high velocity wind it produces
very high torque.. There is a step-up gear box which connects the low-
speed shaft to the high-speed shaft and increases the rotational speeds
from about 30 to 60 rotations per minute (rpm) to about 1200 to 1500
rpm. The electrical energy thus produced is transferred down the tether
for consumption, or to a set of batteries or the power grid.

Table.1.Specifications of 4kw Mars

Magenn Power Product Model 4kW

Size (Diameter x Length) 4m*12m

31
 Shipping Weight Nearly 158kgs

Volume of Helium 170m3

Tether Height 200 ft standard - up to 800 ft
optional tether length, in
increments of 100 feet
Start-up Wind Speed 1 m/sec
Rated Wind Speed 12.5 m/sec
Rated Power 4000 Watts
Temperature Range -40ºC to +60ºC
Generators 2 x 2 kW
Output Form Various Options Available: 120
VAC 60Hz - 240 VAC 50 Hz -
Regulated DC 12-120V
Warranty 5 Years
Life Cycle 15 Years
Price (USD) (Estimated) $9,999

MARS 4kW (Estimated) Performance Specifications : MARS

4kW Performance

Estimated performance data is shown in the graph below.

Fig.6.11.Performance Of Power Flow Mars

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 CHAPTER 7

 ESTIMATED COSTS:

Sky Windpower estimate that their technology will be capable of

producing electricity for $0.02 per KWh, while a system of raising a kite
to a high altitude while turning a generator on the ground, and then
changing its shape so that it can be drawn back down with less energy
than it produced on the way up, has been estimated to be capable of
producing electricity for $0.01 per KWh- both numbers being
significantly lower than the current price of non-subsidized electricity.

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 CHAPTER 8

 ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF FEG

ADVANTAGES

 Environment friendly
 FEG technology is just cheaper , cleaner and have more
efficiency.
 FEG’s are unaffected by surface feature turbulence.
 The environment impact at high altitude are minimal with
virtually no visual or noise intrusion and no bird strikes.
 FEG wind farms would give capacity (generating) factors around
three times greater than that from conventional wind farms
 Low cost electricity - less than Rs. 5/kwh
 Fewr limits in placement location - coastline placement is not
necessary.
 Ability to install closer to power grid.
 Mobile-easy to transport different locations.
 Ideal for off grid applications and where power supply is not
reliable.

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  Higher altitude – 200 to 800 metre above ground level are
possible without expensive towers or cranes.
 Wide range of wind speed – 2m/s to more than 28m/s

DISADVANTAGES

 Restricted airspace for airplanes to fly.

 Not suitable for highly populated areas, unless there are adequate
safety measures provided.
 Seasonal variations in jet streams speed across the globe can
create dull periods for electricity production by FEG.
 Initial cost is high.

CHAPTER 9

 APPLICATIONS
 Off grid for cottages and remote uses such as cell towers and
exploration equipment.
 Developing nations where infrastructure is limited or
nonexistent.
 Rapid deployment (to include airdrop) to disaster areas for power
to emergency and medical equipment, water pumps, and relief
efforts (ex. Katrina, Tsunami).
 And military applications.

35
 Fig 9.1. Applications at different locations

CHAPTER 10

 CONCLUSION

It has been shown that flying electric generators can harness the
powerful and persistent winds aloft to supply electricity for grid
connection, for hydrogen production or for hydro-storage. Globally,
upper atmospheric winds provide an enormous resource for this
application. The environmental impacts at altitude are minimal with
virtually no visual, or noise intrusion and no bird strikes. The proposed
systems lead logically to rural/remote area installations in regions of

36
 restricted airspace. Full-scale facilities, using individual FEG units of
rated power around 30 MW, could easily form wind-farms equivalent in
output to regular coal, gas and nuclear facilities. These wind-farms
would give capacity (generating) factors around three times greater than
that from conventional wind-farms. The estimated bulk electricity cost
for the power so produced is estimated to be of the order of $20/MWh.
High altitude wind power is not science fiction. It depends on currently
available technologies and engineering knowhow, building on decades
of experience with wind turbine and gyroplane technologies. Harnessing
high altitude wind energy, using a combination of essentially existing
technologies, appears to be thoroughly practical and suggests that this
energy source can play an important part in addressing the world's
energy and global warming problems.

REFERENCE
 www.magenn.com
 www.wikipedia.com
 www.youtube.com
 WWW.SLIDESHARE .NET

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