Ship Kite

CUTTING-EDGE

KITE ENERGY SYSTEMS

Kite Dynamics is an innovative mechanical engineering company from Stuttgart with the mission to develop kite control systems for power generation vessels. These ships utilise high-altitude wind technology for ship propulsion and the generation of base-load-capable green electricity from wind power on the open sea, including further processing into hydrogen and its storage.


Kite Dynamics' technology portfolio includes proprietary developments such as the kite control system as well as the launch/landing system and the corresponding high-performance kites.

VISION

MARITIME WIND HARVEST

„When the winds of change blow, some seek shelter in the harbor while others set sail!“

Kite Dynamics is already on course for a sustainable energy supply. Energy Ships use kites both to generate energy and to move around. These ships or entire fleets sail on the open ocean with the sole aim of harvesting wind energy. Wind harvesting describes the conversion of wind energy into electrical energy and its storage in the form of hydrogen or e-fuel on board.

On the world's oceans, unused areas of gigantic size are available for this wind harvest. Areas with permanent winds are located precisely in these areas. In these permanent wind zones, strong winds prevail all year round and around the clock. Their mobility allows the Energy Ships to remain in these permanent wind zones at all times.

There are currently 15,000 tankers and gas ships sailing the world's oceans to ensure the availability of fuels and raw materials in various markets. KITE HYDROGEN SHIPS can replace these transport ships and, above all, their cargo and cover large parts of the global demand. Without additional transportation costs, stored energy is delivered directly to the fuel/feedstock terminals in the ports.

DEMAND FOR GREEN H2

THE MARKET SITUATION UNTIL 2050

MUCH IS NEEDED

Hydrogen is an energy carrier and raw material feedstock in one. Its versatile use in combustion engines, fuel cells, as a feedstock in agriculture (ammonia), and process gas (steel, cement, chemicals) is unique. There are no unwanted emissions, only pure water. The greatest demand arises from new laws and CO2 taxes.


Applications in agriculture, industry, and mobility, especially long-distance or heavy-duty transportation, do not have the option of direct power cables, or batteries. Ships, airplanes, trucks or buses can be operated emission-free with hydrogen or e-fuel, also with electric motors. Hydrogen is indispensable.


The figures show the annual, long-term demand for green hydrogen in Germany in 20501 and its supply. This forecast is also roughly representative of other countries, regions, and worldwide.

IT WON'T BE ENOUGH

So far, only limited technologies are available to produce the necessary quantities of green hydrogen. According to forecasts, offshore wind farms near the coast or photovoltaic systems in the desert with subsequent import can only cover part of the demand.


Most of the necessary supply of green hydrogen (H2) is still unclear. New technologies will be necessary. So, yet unknown sources of hydrogen will have to be found to compensate the threat of a massive supply bottleneck.


The bottleneck is green electricity, the "RES" (Renewable Energy Source).


The KITE HYDROGEN SHIP is a scalable RES, i.e. a green power source that will meet future demand on a large scale.

SOLUTION

KITE HYDROGEN SHIP

The KITE HYDROGEN SHIP from Kite Dynamics supplies cost-efficient green electricity from wind power around the clock and is therefore capable to serve base-load.


This base-load is used on board to produce and store green hydrogen. An Energy Ship already includes the necessary logistics, so no further transportation needs to be priced in. At the end of each wind harvesting journey, the produced green fuels or feedstocks are already in the region of the customer.


There is no damage to the environment. There are no geopolitical dependencies.

CUSTOMERS

  • Oil and gas producers
  • Energy supplier
  • Energy traders or marketplaces and processors of H2, e.g. into e-fuels
  • Self-producers, such as municipalities or island states
  • Ship operator (ship owners)
  • Provider of motor yachts or boats
  • AWES companies for our high-load kites

REASONS &

WILLINGNESS TO PAY

WILLINGNESS TO

PAY

  • Producing green fuels more cost-effectively and ecologically
  • New markets can be reached, and business models with emissions can be replaced
  • Uncertainty of procurement of green electricity or H2 from other sources, cost-effectively and in the required quantities, will be reduced
  • Easier achievement of energy independence and meeting of climate targets
  • Relocation of companies to regions of lower green energy costs can be avoided

PRODUCT

SMART NAVIGATION

THE BASIC CONDITIONS ARE DYNAMIC


Permanent wind zones are huge areas with constant wind-harvesting conditions on all oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They change with the seasons. This can be exploited with the mobile Energy Ships.


Wind harvesting with ships only uses land temporarily and does not consume it. This is a major advantage over wind turbines or solar. Wind and meteorology are complex processes. Important statistics can be found in our detailed documents and FAQ. Rules of thumb summarize it: Wind is stronger over water than on land. The deeper the water, the stronger and more permanent the wind above it.


UNPRECEDENTED SYSTEM UTILIZATION AND FULL LOAD HOURS


Kite Dynamics's data model includes wind and weather data, simulated harvesting journeys, and economic and technical factors. Our Smart Navigation System derives optimal courses from this.


Compared to stationary wind turbines or navigation without taking the wind forecast into account, our navigation achieves a fourfold increase in capacity utilization with 7500 hours of full load per year.


PRODUCT

KITE HYDROGEN SHIP

32-FOLD ENERGY

TWO HARVESTING METHODS

With kites, the wind is harvested via traction force. The KITE HYDROGEN SHIP relies on more than just one harvesting system "traction-to-power". First, we harvest course-independent in so-called kite power cycles. Alternating phases of the high-energy power phase and low-energy haul-in phase ensure a positive energy balance. In addition, underwater rotors on the ship can optimize the harvesting conditions and generate additional electricity.

TEAM

 

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Uli Dobler

Head of Operations

Frank Hermann

Head of Finance

MANAGERS

Felix Bartels

Head of Technology

Till Jung

Head of Mechanical Engineering

Tim van der Steene

Head of Marine Technology

Robin Schwalb

Head of Software Engineering

Armin Harich

Head of Kite Development

TEAM AND EXPECTED DEVELOPMENT OF STAFF

The project combines the fields of mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, frontier areas of materials science, maritime technologies and seafaring, aviation and kite technologies, robotics, artificial intelligence, electrical engineering, and generator technology, as well as hydrogen and green fuel technology (Power-to-X). This diversity, and perhaps even more so the fascinating vision of the KITE HYDROGEN SHIP, with its distinct technical and ethical dimension, naturally attracts highly qualified experts. Kite Dynamics currently employs around 25 part-time and full-time staff. This number is set to double for the next project phase (18 months).

TECHNOLOGY

KITE HYDROGEN SHIP

COMPONENTS AND DEVELOPMENT STATUS

With the exception of the Kite Propulsion system K1, the technology of the KITE HYDROGEN SHIP consists of an interlinking of existing components. These system components are divided into two clusters. The power train consists of all components that deal with the kite propulsion and the directly resulting power generation (wind-to-electron). The components of the H2/e-Fuel-Train represent the technology for hydrogen production, as well as its further processing, storage, and use on board (electron-to-molecule). Following the obligatory tests on land, the power train is ready for installation on the ZEPHYR ship. The experience gained with the prototype will be incorporated into the series product. The H2/e-Fuel Train is also ready for installation. The K1 Power Train, with its built-in generators, currently achieves 360 kW and can be expanded to 1.2 MW.

POWER-TRAIN

FROM WIND TO ELECTRICITY

The Power-Train consists primarily of the K1 Kite Propulsion system. Optionally, underwater rotors with an additional generator can be used. The Power Train is Kite Dynamics's main innovation and, thus, the green power cable on board. Electricity from wind around the clock. A world-first and groundbreaking game changer.

H2/E-FUEL-TRAIN

FROM ELECTRICITY TO MOLECULES

The H2/e-Fuel-Train is primarily the further processing of the electricity generated on board. The process involves the deionization of seawater, the electrolysis of hydrogen from this water, and the subsequent storage of the hydrogen. A fuel cell can be used for electricity recovery, and a small battery system ensures smooth processes on board and smoothing of the electricity output. Optionally, the H2/e-fuel train can also include systems that produce green ammonia or other e-fuels. All these components are already available, and Kite Dynamics's partners provide them in a process-tested form.

TECHNOLOGY

IN-HOUSE DEVELOPMENTS

KITES

LAUNCH/LAND SYSTEM

KITE CONTROL SYSTEM

COCKPIT

KITE DYNAMICS KITE ENERGY SYSTEM

The propulsion system of the Energy Ships is a unit consisting of four subsystems. The kite control system forms the basis. This controls the high-performance kites via four ropes and is also the anchor of the system. The kite control system itself is controlled from the cockpit. This includes a specially developed force feedback control system for performance optimization, as well as several auto-pilots. It can, therefore, be flown manually or automatically, similar to the fly-by-wire technology of modern airplanes. The groundbreaking launch-land system brings kites to flight and vice versa.

UNIQUE SELLING POINTS/USPs

KITE HYDROGEN SHIP

ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY

PRODUCTION

= TRANSPORTATION

The KITE HYDROGEN SHIP delivers green hydrogen to any port worldwide at the lowest cost.


There are no additional transportation costs: The harvesting route is also the transportation route to ports with hydrogen or ammonia terminals.


Logistics rides along.

SCALABILITY

SQUARE METERS

= ENERGY

Any number of ships can be deployed. There is no limitation by coastal areas, but the infinite areas of the oceans.


Because they have no mast, airborne kites can be easily scaled to almost any number of square meters and thus power.


Unlimited space.

AUTONOMY

NO MAN'S LAND

= FREEDOM

Fuel production takes place in no man's land outside the 200-mile economic zone (EEZ).


There are no geographical or geopolitical dependencies on states or governments.


Independent.

FLEXIBILITY

CHANGE

= ADAPTATION

The production route can react flexibly to market changes or regional prices and conditions.


The KITE HYDROGEN SHIP adapts to changes in climate and wind, and long-term performance is built in.


Simply adaptive.

ECOLOGY

HARVEST

= NATURE

The Energy Ships do not destroy ecosystems or harm flora or fauna.


The KITE HYDROGEN SHIP creates no environmental concerns and does not spoil the landscape. This promotes general acceptance.


Not in my backyard.

KITE HYDROGEN SHIP

FEASIBILITY - TECHNICAL

  • The entire process chain after power generation, i.e. the H2 / e-Fuel Train, is provided by our project partners.
  • The constant wind in permanent wind zones has been proven by 120,000 simulated harvest trips using current weather data.
  • The power generation per square meter of kite has been proven by numerous test flights.
  • Large kites can be both manufactured and flown. Our approach to scaling is validated and proven with prototypes.
  • Large kites can be launched, landed and stowed. Our proprietary launch/landing system LLS has proven these capabilities.
  • Our kites prove the high and necessary resilience.