Airborne Wind Europe, the European association of the Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) sector, has become a member of the newly launched AWETRAIN project. Through cutting-edge research and strategies for societal and economic acceptance, AWETRAIN will pave the way for AWE to thrive in island environments.
Running from December 2024 to November 2028, AWETRAIN will bridge leading research institutions and industry developers to advance AWE technology. Over the next four years, eight partners will collaborate to tackle the key challenges of scaling AWE technology for global energy markets.
DTU, TU Delft, Munich University of Applied Sciences, and Politecnico di Milano, will represent the research universities, while Kitemill, Kitekraft, and Kitepower, the AWE industry developers. Airborne Wind Europe will lead the communication and exploitation activities. The AWETRAIN project, which is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, marks a major step forward in the continuous development of AWE.
The project will also improve AWE systems to ensure that they provide reliable and grid-compatible energy, especially suitable for small and remote communities. AWETRAIN’s research results will make AWE devices more affordable and competitive with traditional fossil fuel generators by overcoming challenges related to scalability and performance. Therefore, AWE can be a pivotal renewable solution for islands looking to reduce emissions and become energy-independent, promoting clean energy self-sufficiency.
AWETRAIN is hiring! Building the future of Airborne Wind Energy
On the other hand, AWETRAIN is more than a research project. It is a training network that will shape the next generation of renewable energy leaders. By combining technological development with interdisciplinary training, AWETRAIN will lay a strong foundation for the widespread adoption of AWE systems on islands and beyond.
In Q2/2025 the industrial-academic consortium will be hiring 12 PhD candidates ready to make an impact on the future of renewable energy. The job advertisements will be published in Q1/2025. If you are interested, get in contact with the main supervisor of the respective PhD project. Join us in advancing AWE solutions for a greener and more resilient world.
Have a look at the AWETRAIN kick-off meeting press release to find out more about the project.
