A Beijing-based energy company has achieved a significant milestone in renewable energy by successfully completing the maiden flight and grid-connection test of the world’s first megawatt-level airborne wind power system. During the trial in Yibin, Sichuan Province, the S2000 floating platform ascended to an altitude of 2,000 meters, generating and delivering 385 kilowatt-hours of electricity directly to the local power grid. This demonstration marks a major step toward the commercialization of high-altitude wind energy, utilizing consistent and powerful winds that are inaccessible to conventional ground-based turbines.
The S2000 Stratosphere Airborne Wind Energy System (SAWES), developed by Beijing Linyi Yunchuan Energy Technology, is a massive helium-filled aerostat designed specifically for use near urban and remote areas. Resembling a large airship, the platform measures approximately 60 meters in length and 40 meters in both width and height. During the recent test in Southwest China, the system took roughly 30 minutes to reach its target altitude, where it maintained a stable hover to begin its power generation cycle.
The technology relies on the buoyancy of helium to lift a lightweight power unit into the upper layers of the atmosphere. At an altitude of 2,000 meters, wind speeds are significantly higher and more reliable than those found at ground level. The energy captured by the airborne turbines is converted into electricity and transmitted back to the surface via a high-strength tethered cable, which also serves to stabilize and control the platform’s position.
To maximize efficiency, the S2000 features an innovative ducted design. This structure, formed by the gap between the main envelope and an annular wing, concentrates and compresses airflow before it reaches a series of 12 integrated wind turbines. According to the company’s technical team, this aerodynamic layout allows the system to capture as much wind as possible, resulting in a maximum rated capacity of up to 3 megawatts. This approach is particularly effective because wind energy potential increases exponentially with wind speed, allowing high-altitude systems to generate substantially more power than traditional installations.
The developer is targeting two primary applications for the SAWES technology. It is intended to provide a stable energy source for off-grid locations, such as remote border outposts, and to work alongside existing ground-based wind farms to create a more comprehensive energy supply network. While the project represents a breakthrough in clean energy, experts note that long-term operational safety, cost-efficiency, and durability remain key factors to be proven during wider deployment.
Linyi Yunchuan has already moved into small-batch production and is establishing a specialized manufacturing base in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, to produce high-performance materials for the system’s envelope. The facility aims to reach an annual output of 200,000 linear meters by 2026, eventually expanding to 800,000 linear meters by 2028. This domestic production strategy is intended to bolster the supply chain and support the large-scale rollout of airborne wind energy across coastal and high-altitude regions.