Articles | Volume 10, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-579-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-579-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
20 Mar 2025
Research article |
| 20 Mar 2025
| 20 Mar 2025
Exploring noise annoyance and sound quality for airborne wind energy systems: insights from a listening experiment
Department of Flow Physics and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629 HS, the Netherlands
Renatto M. Yupa-Villanueva
Department of Aircraft Noise and Climate Effects, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629 HS, the Netherlands
Daniele Ragni
Department of Flow Physics and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629 HS, the Netherlands
Roberto Merino-Martínez
Department of Aircraft Noise and Climate Effects, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629 HS, the Netherlands
Piet J. R. van Gool
Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, the Netherlands
Roland Schmehl
Department of Flow Physics and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629 HS, the Netherlands
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Wind Energ. Sci., 11, 1097–1121, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-1097-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-1097-2026, 2026
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Jelle Agatho Wilhelm Poland, Johannes Marinus van Spronsen, Mac Gaunaa, and Roland Schmehl
Wind Energ. Sci., 11, 911–936, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-911-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-911-2026, 2026
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We tested a small model of an energy-generating kite in a wind tunnel to study its aerodynamic behaviour. By comparing measurements to computer simulations, we validated the models and identified where they match the real performance and where they fall short. These insights will guide more accurate aerodynamic modelling and inform design choices for kites used in airborne wind energy systems.
Jelle Agatho Wilhelm Poland, Kasper Raphaël G. Masure, Oriol Cayon, and Roland Schmehl
Wind Energ. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2026-46, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2026-46, 2026
Preprint under review for WES
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Soft inflatable kites are promising tools for renewable applications, but their unusual shape makes them difficult to analyse with conventional aerodynamic methods. A fast, accurate computer model is presented based on detailed airflow simulations and wind-tunnel measurements. Aerodynamic forces are predicted within about 10 % of experimental values while requiring far less computing time. It also helps designers balance efficiency and stability, enabling faster, more reliable kite development.
Özgür Yalçın, Andrea Piccolo, Riccardo Zamponi, Daniele Ragni, and Roberto Merino-Martinez
Wind Energ. Sci., 11, 299–319, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-299-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-299-2026, 2026
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Abhratej Sahoo, Wei Yu, and Daniele Ragni
Wind Energ. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2026-7, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2026-7, 2026
Preprint under review for WES
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Abhratej Sahoo, Akshay Koodly Ravishankara, Wei Yu, Daniele Ragni, and Carlos Simao Ferreira
Wind Energ. Sci., 11, 127–154, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-127-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-127-2026, 2026
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Jelle Agatho Wilhelm Poland, Erik Fritz, and Roland Schmehl
Wind Energ. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2025-217, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2025-217, 2025
Revised manuscript under review for WES
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Oriol Cayon, Simon Watson, and Roland Schmehl
Wind Energ. Sci., 10, 2161–2188, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-2161-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-2161-2025, 2025
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Rishikesh Joshi, Dominic von Terzi, and Roland Schmehl
Wind Energ. Sci., 10, 695–718, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-695-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-695-2025, 2025
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Dylan Eijkelhof, Nicola Rossi, and Roland Schmehl
Wind Energ. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2024-139, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2024-139, 2024
Revised manuscript accepted for WES
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Christoph Elfert, Dietmar Göhlich, and Roland Schmehl
Wind Energ. Sci., 9, 2261–2282, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-2261-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-2261-2024, 2024
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This article presents a tow test procedure for measuring the steering behaviour of tethered membrane wings. The experimental set-up includes a novel onboard sensor system for measuring the position and orientation of the towed wing, complemented by an attached low-cost multi-hole probe for measuring the relative flow velocity vector at the wing. The measured data (steering gain and dead time) can be used to improve kite models and simulate the operation of airborne wind energy systems.
Rishikesh Joshi, Roland Schmehl, and Michiel Kruijff
Wind Energ. Sci., 9, 2195–2215, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-2195-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-2195-2024, 2024
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This paper presents a fast cycle–power computation model for fixed-wing ground-generation airborne wind energy systems. It is suitable for sensitivity and scalability studies, which makes it a valuable tool for design and innovation trade-offs. It is also suitable for integration with cost models and systems engineering tools, enhancing its applicability in assessing the potential of airborne wind energy in the broader energy system.
Mark Schelbergen and Roland Schmehl
Wind Energ. Sci., 9, 1323–1344, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-1323-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-1323-2024, 2024
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Livia Brandetti, Sebastiaan Paul Mulders, Roberto Merino-Martinez, Simon Watson, and Jan-Willem van Wingerden
Wind Energ. Sci., 9, 471–493, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-471-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-471-2024, 2024
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Maaike Sickler, Bart Ummels, Michiel Zaaijer, Roland Schmehl, and Katherine Dykes
Wind Energ. Sci., 8, 1225–1233, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-1225-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-1225-2023, 2023
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This paper investigates the effect of wind farm layout on the performance of offshore wind farms. A regular farm layout is compared to optimised irregular layouts. The irregular layouts have higher annual energy production, and the power production is less sensitive to wind direction. However, turbine towers require thicker walls to counteract increased fatigue due to increased turbulence levels in the farm. The study shows that layout optimisation can be used to maintain high-yield performance.
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Short summary
This study investigates noise annoyance caused by airborne wind energy systems (AWESs), a novel wind energy technology that uses kites to harness high-altitude winds. Through a listening experiment with 75 participants, sharpness was identified as the key factor predicting annoyance. Fixed-wing kites generated more annoyance than soft-wing kites, likely due to their sharper, more tonal sound. The findings can help improve AWESs’ designs, reducing noise-related disturbances for nearby residents.
This study investigates noise annoyance caused by airborne wind energy systems (AWESs), a novel...
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