Airborne Wind Turbines:
Clean, Consistent and Cost-Effective Energy
Joby Energy, Inc. is developing airborne wind turbines to harness the immense and consistent power in high-altitude wind to provide reliable and low-cost renewable energy.
Joby Energy is contributing to:
- public awareness of the benefits of high-altitude wind energy;
- ending dependence on fossil fuels;
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
- job creation and;
- domestic energy security.
Our airborne wind turbines:
- Produce energy more consistently. Because we operate at higher altitudes, our system produces twice the energy for the same rated power. Consistent winds at higher altitudes allow our system to achieve a net capacity factor of approximately 70% versus 35% for surface-based systems.
- Require lower capital costs. Building our system requires significantly less materials than a surface-based turbine (approximately 1/20), resulting in low capital costs for the given rated power.
- Deliver the most cost-effective renewable energy. Consistent energy production and low capital costs result in energy production cost per kWh competitive with the cheapest fossil fuels and much lower than any new renewable source, including surface-based wind turbines.
