Wind Energy Science
Wind Energy Science
WES
Articles | Volume 11, issue 4
Articles | Volume 11, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-1461-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-1461-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 11, issue 4
Research article
 | 
29 Apr 2026
Research article |  | 29 Apr 2026

Flow field analysis of a leading-edge inflatable kite rigid-scale model using stereoscopic particle image velocimetry

Jelle Agatho Wilhelm Poland, Erik Fritz, and Roland Schmehl

Data sets

Supporting data set for paper: Flow Field Analysis of a Leading-Edge Inflatable Kite Rigid Scale Model Using Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry Jelle Poland et al. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17395913

RANS CFD simulations of the TU Delft V3 Kite Jelle Poland et al. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17395314

Surface mesh of the TUDELFT_V3_KITE CAD with edge fillets. Jelle Poland et al. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15316036

Model code and software

Software for the paper: Flow Field Analysis of a Leading-Edge Inflatable Kite Rigid Scale Model Using Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry Jelle Poland https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17396075

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Short summary
We studied how air flows around a rigid-scale model of a soft-wing kite used for harvesting airborne wind energy and wind-assisted ship propulsion. Using a wind tunnel and a laser-based imaging method, we measured the airflow at different angles to compare with simulations. Measured flow field results confirm numerical predictions.
For the measurements with low uncertainty, the derived lift force quantities also correspond well with numerical predictions.
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