Volkswagen Group’s subsidiary, Elli, alongside airborne wind turbine manufacturer EnerKíte and the Technical University of Braunschweig, have unveiled pioneering research at the Hannover Messe.
This research could potentially lead to energy-autonomous charging for electric vehicles in the future.
The project focuses on utilizing high-tech kites to harness strong and steady high-altitude winds, converting them into electricity.
This energy is then stored in Elli’s Flexpole fast-charger, which can subsequently be used to charge electric vehicles.
The project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is coordinated at the Open Hybrid LabFactory Campus in Wolfsburg.
Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger, during her visit to the Hannover Messe, was briefed on this collaboration between science, industry, and the start-up scene.
The innovative research approach aims to address a significant challenge for electric vehicle users in remote regions globally.
Moreover, it holds tremendous potential for diversifying energy generation and charging infrastructure.
The partnership between EnerKíte’s base-load-capable airborne wind turbines and Elli’s charging and storage technology allows for grid-independent and continuous power supply, even in remote areas.
The new Elli Flexpole can be easily and flexibly installed as a fast-charging station, connected to the low-voltage grid thanks to its integrated battery system, without requiring a special transformer or expensive construction work.
Mark Möller, Chief Technical Officer of Volkswagen Group Charging (Elli), expressed enthusiasm about their market-available Flexpole supporting this groundbreaking initiative to redefine the boundaries of electromobility.
He highlighted that by combining innovative technologies, they can contribute sustainably to future mobility.
Florian Breipohl, CEO of EnerKíte, emphasized that EnerKíte systems provide constant power, converting green energy into a reliable electricity source.
With a yield four times higher than conventional wind turbines of the same power, EnerKíte offers an exceptional alternative.
This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for decentralized energy supply and promotes the adoption of electromobility in previously hard-to-reach regions.
The TechnoHyb innovation project emerged as part of the BMBF Research Campus Initiative and is showcased at the booth of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research at the Hannover Messe 2024, taking place from April 22 to 26.
Alongside Volkswagen Group Charging (Elli), EnerKíte, and TU Braunschweig, other project members involved include FIT-Umwelttechnik and the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology, among others.
