Airborne Wind Turbines:

The greatest benefit of harnessing winds at high altitudes is its consistency and strength.

The capacity factor of a power plant is the ratio of the actual energy output over a given period of time with its output had it operated at full capacity during that time period.

Because of variations in wind speed, the capacity factor of a surface-based and airborne wind turbine will vary over the course of a day, month and year. As the speed and consistency of wind increases with rising altitudes, capturing wind at higher altitudes will result in a phenomenally greater capacity factor.

Our airborne wind turbines operating in the more consistent winds at altitudes in the upper boundary layer and in the upper troposphere will generate power at full rated capacity about 50% of the time, and on average throughout the year will generate 70% of its rated capacity (capacity factor).

In comparison, a traditional surface-based wind turbine will generate power at full rated capacity about 10% of the time, and on average throughout the year will only generate 25 - 40% of its rated capacity.