The world’s first megawatt-class urban airborne wind turbine, the S2000, has been operating steadily at 2,000 metres above Yibin in southwest China’s Sichuan Province since 5 January, marking a major milestone in high-altitude wind energy.

The system generated 385 kilowatt-hours in a single day, setting a new industry record. At such heights, wind speeds are significantly stronger and energy density far higher than at ground level, enabling dramatically greater power output from turbines of the same size.

Developed by Sawestoone Company, the S2000 overcame key engineering hurdles, particularly weight. As co-founder Dun Tianrui noted, early concerns centred on heavy megawatt motors, but advances in China’s new energy sector meant “the weight issue had been resolved by the market and our country’s industrial system”.

Equipped with a 3.6-MW motor, the system could supply nearly 3,000 households annually under ideal conditions. The team now plans trials above 4,000 metres, where wind resources are even stronger.

Source: China Central Television