Airborne Wind Europe is pleased to welcome UPWIND Energy as a new member of the association and a sponsor of the Airborne Wind Energy Conference 2026 (AWEC 2026).
Based in Portugal, UPWIND Energy is a recently established spin-off from the University of Porto, building on the long-standing research activities of the UPWIND group at FEUP (Faculty of Engineering). The company represents a strong example of how cutting-edge academic research in airborne wind energy is evolving into real-world, market-ready solutions.
From research to real-world impact
UPWIND Energy originates from the UPWIND research group, which has been actively contributing to the advancement of airborne wind energy systems for years. While the research group continues its academic work, UPWIND Energy brings this expertise into the commercial domain, focusing on the development and deployment of practical AWE solutions.
Advancing the AWE ecosystem
Beyond product development, UPWIND Energy plays an important role in strengthening the broader airborne wind energy ecosystem. The company focuses on:
- Transforming advanced research into robust, patented innovations
- Demonstrating fully autonomous system operation
- Generating operational data and real-world insights
- Supporting the maturation and scalability of AWE technologies
This combination of research excellence and practical deployment aligns closely with AWEU’s mission to accelerate the development and integration of airborne wind energy across Europe and globally.
Supporting AWEC 2026
UPWIND Energy will also support the sector as a sponsor of AWEC 2026, contributing to the continued growth and visibility of the airborne wind energy community. The conference remains a key platform to connect industry, academia, and policymakers, and to showcase the latest technological advancements in the field.
- 📩 Contact: Luís Tiago Paiva (ltpaiva@upwind.energy)