It generates 100 kW at 1,300 feet — Europe tests the end of Chinese solar panels in the world
Europe has been the ultimate destination for Asian companies to expand without having to do business in America. Not only the car industry, but also many others are welcome into the old continent, especially energy. For over a decade, the continent has leaned heavily on injected photovoltaic capacity to meet its climate and energy goals. Multiple countries are working on a solution, but some sources have run out of use or are outdated. As demand for cleaner power keeps rising, that dependence is starting to look like a problem.
Europe is after the energy source for the future: they need to build a safe path
The concern is growing at a time when Europe is racing to secure its energy future. Supply chain risks, price swings, and questions about long-term reliability are putting pressure on leaders to find other options. And as climate goals tighten, the need for new ideas in renewable energy has never been more urgent.
One of the most promising experiments isn’t happening on rooftops or in fields—but in the sky. Engineers are testing high-flying systems designed to capture stronger, steadier winds far above the ground. The technology is light, efficient, and quietly positioning itself as a real challenge to solar’s dominance in Europe. What that looks like in practice comes next.
Ireland is showing the way: Eolic energy is next for Europe
In Ireland’s west coast, researchers are testing a massive kite designed to generate electricity by catching the wind. Unlike fixed turbines, the system is mobile, lightweight, and less intrusive on the landscape. The project is led by Kitepower, a Dutch company working at a site near Bangor Erris since September 2023. The kite, about 60 square meters in size, is launched from the ground and tethered to a generator. As it rises and falls, the pulling motion drives the machine, producing power in repeated cycles.
Kitepower says the main advantage of this setup is flexibility. The system can be installed in less than a day, moved to new locations when needed, and does not require costly turbine foundations. According to the company, it also kept running during Storm Eowyn earlier this year, when many areas of Ireland lost electricity, like other regions of Europe.
Wind power is working, but other sources must be capable of generating energy
The approach, known as airborne wind energy (AWE), is being studied worldwide as a way to harness stronger winds at higher altitudes. Researchers at University College Cork note that these systems could be valuable in remote regions or offshore areas where conventional turbines are difficult or expensive to build. Still, they caution that regulatory approval, safety concerns, and long-term reliability. The need to explore vibration technology shouldn’t be ignored.
Ireland is under pressure to expand renewables quickly. Wind farms already supply about a third of the country’s electricity, but large projects often face delays tied to planning and grid capacity. The government’s target is to reach 20 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2040 and at least 37 gigawatts by 2050. Supporters of kite-based power argue that airborne systems could help fill the gaps along the way, not only in Ireland, but also in the whole European continent.
Other ongoing projects in the old continent: underwater pipes are next
In October, the Federal Network Agency approved Germany’s planned hydrogen core network – similar to what is going on in the automotive industry. By 2032, it is expected to stretch 9,040 kilometers, connecting major hydrogen hubs across all states, including seaports, production sites, and industrial centers.
Germany’s first 525 kilometers of the planned 9,040-kilometer hydrogen core network are expected to be completed this year, including a nearly 400-kilometer route running south from the Baltic. By 2026, expansion will continue at a slower pace.
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