Configuration optimization and global sensitivity analysis of Ground-Gen and Fly-Gen Airborne Wind Energy Systems

Abstract This paper presents an analysis and optimization of Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWESs), designed to maximize the Annual Energy Production (AEP) and, in the second part, the economic profit. A gradient-based optimization algorithm is used to perform the preliminary design of the main AWES sub-systems. A global sensitivity analysis is carried out to study how the design process, represented by the optimization problem, is influenced by aleatory and epistemic uncertainties. In particular, Ground-Gen and Fly-Gen AWESs are studied with a unified model to allow for a quantitative comparison. In the first part of the work, an ideal hybrid AWES design with ground and on-board power generation is considered. With this approach, the common characteristics of Ground-Gen and Fly-Gen AWES designs that maximize AEP are found. In the second part, Ground-Gen and Fly-Gen AWES optimal economic designs are analyzed individually. It is found that a fully developed AWES has strong potential to be highly competitive in the energy market, by providing cheap renewable energy. Fly-Gen AWESs are found to be slightly more profitable than Ground-Gen if the airborne unit is not replaced often. The main physical and economical characteristics of optimal designs are highlighted.