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Laddermill Patent by Wubbo Ockels
1998
Research in kite power generation was initiated by Wubbo Ockels in 1993, followed by a patent application for the Laddermill technology in 1997 which was granted one year later in 1998. Wubbo Johannes Ockels (28 March 1946 – 18 May 2014) was a Dutch physicist, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut as well as the first Dutch citizen in space (1985). Ockel’s pioneering vision on soft wing technologies has been crucial in inspiring big part of the current Kitepower’s engineering team, who had the chance to collaborate with the professor at the very early stages of this enterprise.
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Research Group was Founded at TU Delft
2004
The kite power research group was established in 2004 by Wubbo Ockels and comprises researchers, students and international affiliates. The research group has been founded in order to support scientific challenges such as automatic flight control, structural dynamics and aerodynamics of tethered inflatable membrane wings, with a second focal area in the design of efficient motor/generator units. The group submitted their first joint publication to the European Wind Energy Conference held in London in 2004.
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Starting with a 5 kWp System
2006
At TU Delft the kite power research group starts its prototyping with a 5 kWp system. At this stage hardware experimentations are the main focus of the research project. The group starts to envision ways to improve the control of a flying kite.
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The First 20 kWp Kite Power System Demonstrates the Proof of Concept
2007
The kite power research group carried out crucial tests which finally led to demonstrate the proof of concept behind the soon-to-be Kitepower: Remotely controlling surfkites for wind energy generation.
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Evolving with a 20 kWp System
September, 2010
The TU Delft based kite power research group keeps testing on the field with a 20 kWp kite power system. At this stage of experimentation the project is being carried as partnership between 'ASSET', 'ASTI' and the Frisian companies 'Viaferro' and 'SMI'. An early version of the Kite Control Unit gets designed and a demonstration of the system could take place on a farm close to the Frisian village Jirnsum on the 9th and 10th of September 2010.
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Automatic Pumping Operation 2-20 kW
2012
The pumping kite concept, which provides a simple yet effective solution for wind energy conversion at potentially low cost, is being tested with successful results. The focus is on the innovative and scientifically challenging aspects such as the implementation of a supervisory control and data acquisition system designed for automatic operation.
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2014
Kite Power 2.0 was initiated as a joint project between Delft University of Technology and Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences. The goal was to systematically improve the reliability and robustness of the technology as well as achieving continuous automatic operation. Hereby a new level of technical improvements begins.
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31st of May, 2015
The to-be founders of Kitepower kicked off their ‘Fast Track to Innovation’ project REACH, which is funded with 3.7 million Euro by the European Horizon 2020 programme. The goal? To ensure cost-effective renewable energy with a low environmental footprint by using kite power systems.
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Kitepower B.V. is Founded
January, 2016
Kitepower was founded by Johannes Peschel and Roland Schmehl as a spin-off from the TU Delft's pioneering kite power research group of ex-astronaut Wubbo Ockels. Along with the company a new challenge is established: Becoming the market leaders in airborne wind energy.
April, 2016
The YES!Delft LaunchLab is a unique programme developed specifically for start-ups with a technical idea. In 2016 Kitepower won the audience with the presentation of its tech idea, market potential, business model and launch customers' scenario. Read More.
November, 2016
Kitepower won the Innovation Competition of the Dutch Ministry of Defence themed "Energy for Operational Action" endowed a prize of 200.000 €. The Dutch Defense is a major energy consumer and abroad still largely dependent on fossil fuels. Kitepower offered therefore an environmentally friendly solution able to dramatically optimize energy consumption.
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Throughout 2017
At the moment Kitepower is developing a 100 kW commercial system. The company's objective is to provide systems deployable with outstanding ease by remote communities, outdoor events as well as industrial compounds all accross the world. To achieve this target, system components got revised and redesigned, control algorithms had been made fault-tolerant and adaptive to the changing wind environment.
17.11.2017 till 21.01.2018
Kitepower is involved as developer partner in Icoon Afsluitdijk, Studio Roosegarde’s design innovation program. Kitepower’s development support regards Windvogel, a tribute project to Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels who laid the foundations of airborne wind energy. Read More.
23rd of July, 2017
Kitepower celebrated the arrival of the new 100 kW ground station with a showcase event at the TU Delft Aerospace Engineering Faculty. Read More.
February, 2017
Kitepower joins a full time business growth program offered by YES!Delft, Europe's #4 leading technology incubator. Read More.
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Kitepower allows to reduce the need for transportation of diesel through unsafe terrain resulting in more self-sufficiency and safety while lowering the environmental footprint of the camps at the same time. Read More
February 2018
A third party successfully operated the Kitepower 100kW unit for the first time! Read More
July 2018
The event represented a milestone in affirming Kitepower’s full commitment to a sustainable energetic revolution and acquaintanceship with developing countries and remote communities. Read More
October 2018
Kitepower is now part of Airborne Wind Europe, the European association of leading companies and research institutes engaged in airborne wind energy development. Read More
November 2018
Hendrik Hutting joins the Kitepower's advisory board as enthusiastic investor as well as pioneering wind energy entrepreneur. Read More
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Ongoing as you read
The Kitepower team is further developing the 100 kW system and growing a supply chain able to serve the target market in the upcoming years.
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Horizon 2020 Deadline
2020
The goal? Saving 7.3 M litres of diesel annually worldwide by 2020 hence substantially contribute to the EU goal of achieving secure, clean and efficient energy.