Windlift has announced a unique power generation system that utilizes a drone tethered to the ground. It autonomously performs endless figure-eight figures in the air while generating electricity.

The lightweight frame of the device weighs 11-14 kg and is made of carbon fiber. It is driven by rotor blades. Through cyclic changes in thrust and drag, Windlift can generate up to 30 kWh of energy, which is transmitted via a tether to a ground station.

The ground station has the ability to connect to a variety of sources including batteries, private homes and even the public grid. The Windlift team is currently working on a more powerful 75 kWh system with a wingspan of 12.2 meters, designed for commercial use. However, the maximum installation size is limited to this wingspan, as further increases in size could reduce efficiency.

The Windlift technology could be used in the future to provide off-grid power to remote infrastructure such as farms and small settlements