FAQ

• High baseload capability
• Fast controllability
• Low operating costs
• Scalability up to 400 MW

No. X-Wind uses established technical components: kites, rails, and power units. The innovation lies in the clever combination and the software control.

New energy technologies typically take several decades to become established. Initial financing, development and optimization, integration into existing systems, building up supply chains, and working with/on regulations and standards all have to be worked through in successive stages.

Autonomously via AI trajectory planning, GPS, lidar, and radar.

AI-supported control-room software monitors / controls:

• Wind and weather data
• Flight paths
• Power units
• Energy production

No. The wide track gauge and the overall dimensioning of size and mass prevent tipping completely – as with railways. For very high power outputs, the track is built wider.

Only in theory. Autonomous flying objects can be controlled without collisions, as modern drone swarms show. X-Wind uses radar, GPS, lidar, and AI trajectory planning.

Only in the event of a mechanical failure, and even then a crash is harmless. Kites have operating modes for calm conditions (no wind), emergency descent procedures, and redundant tethers.

No. Kites are landed automatically in hazardous weather conditions (storm, lightning strikes, etc.); they can also stabilize or switch to safety modes. Rail modules are anchored to withstand storms. During these periods, batteries or the grid ensure the power supply.

Dyneema withstands extreme loads (e.g., oil drilling platforms), is UV-resistant, and has very low elongation. Dyneema fibers are stronger than steel and can carry hundreds of tonnes. Service life: several thousand operating hours, in practice over one year. Dyneema is recyclable.

No. Modern laminate materials and reinforced zones ensure a long service life. Per unit of energy generated, the material consumption due to fatigue/replacement is significantly lower than for wind turbines.

Grid integration is easy. X-Wind can regulate extremely quickly (curtailment in < 20 s). Ideal for grid/frequency stabilization and primary control reserve.

Via standard transformers and inverters. X-Wind can regulate extremely quickly → ideal for grid stabilization.

Yes. Rail modules, power units, and kite sizes are fully modular. Scaling up to 400 MW per power plant is possible.

Yes. High-altitude wind is available globally – even in regions with weak surface wind.

Onshore, X-Wind already achieves a significantly higher capacity factor than offshore wind turbines, because X-Wind taps the steady high-altitude wind. A further increase in the capacity factor through an offshore X-Wind plant has too little marginal benefit to justify the additional investment.

Yes. Areas within the rail system can be used for solar → hybrid power plants. However, this only makes sense where the midday solar peak finds buyers; otherwise it is more economical to expand the X-Wind plant.

The costs are lower than for conventional wind turbines, since no towers, foundations, or large rotors are needed. The main costs lie in kites, rail modules, and power units. Per MWh generated, the costs are approx. xx % of those of conventional wind power.

Thanks to modular construction, a 100–400 MW power plant can be built in 6–12 months – significantly faster than wind farms.

Maintenance is modular:

• Kites are landed automatically
• Kites and tethers are replaced on a regular schedule (and recycled)
• Power units can be exchanged individually, so operation can continue during maintenance
• Rail modules are standardized

All components of the modular system can simply be replaced or overhauled at the end of their service life. This results in a service life of many decades.

Permits are required for:

• Land use
• Rail system
• No-fly zone
• Security radar

• Aviation safety
• Electrical safety
• Mechanical safety
• Grid connection certificates

Very quiet. No rotor blades → no thumping. Kites generate only slight wind noise, comparable to gliders.

Only the kite is visible at times, and it is significantly smaller than wind turbines. Visibility range is under 2 km. The rail system lies close to the ground and blends into the landscape.

Very small:

• No concrete foundations
• Low material use
• PFAS-free materials
• Minimal intervention in nature
• Predominantly recyclable

Minimal. No rotor blades → no strike fatalities. Kites fly high and slowly.