TwingTec makes energy drones breakthrough

TwingTec has launched a new wind farm at Chasseral in Jura. Featuring a drone that circles overhead while connected via a cable, the farm opened by the spinoff from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwest Switzerland (FHNW) and the Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) allows high-altitude winds to be transformed into energy via mechanical transmission and a generator on the ground.

Central to TwingTec’s development is an automatic take-off, flight and landing process that “technologically catapults the drone forwards” and has propelled the technology known as Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) towards a breakthrough, according to a statement. In a process previously untapped by other energy startups, the drone can determine once airborne whether the wind speed is high enough to generate energy and, if not, automatically land.

Around a dozen startup companies worldwide are active in this field, with AWE a particular draw because it allows the capture of high-altitude winds that is impossible with conventional turbines. For the first time, TwingTec has made the technology marketable and competitive.   

“TwingTec is technologically pioneering with its new drone and putting the full potential of wind power in reach,” writes the company in the statement. Rolf Luchsinger, TwingTec CEO, explained that the development is now being prepared for market launch. “As a next step, we are planning a pilot project with BKW in which we will gather long-term experience with the new drone to further drive self-sufficient and sustainable wind energy production,” he said.