Author: Peter Kinsley
Year: 2024
Title: Standardisation and Certification of Airborne Wind Energy
Affiliation: Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
Certification entails defining and establishing operational and technical parameters that must govern the operation of AWE systems. It encompasses the rigorous technical evaluation of the product, service, or organization culminating in the formal acknowledgment of their compliance with relevant requirements through the issuance of certificates, licenses, approvals, or other requisite documents in accordance with applicable regulations.
Commercialisation can be achieved without rigorous certification to standards. However, as the industry grows, certification reduces the need to perform costly qualification testing with each purchaser and identifies the product as having an acceptable level of quality and safety for investors and regulatory bodies.
In various jurisdictions, AWE systems are currently regulated under unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) frameworks. Consequently, the AWE sector assumes that, at a minimum, fixed-wing AWE systems are subject to EU Delegated Regulation 2019/945 on unmanned aircraft systems and EU Implementing Regulation 2019/947 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft. However, in specific jurisdictions, AWE systems are classified as obstacles. Under these circumstances, certifying AWE systems under obstacle standards, such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61400 series within the wind industry, presents a significantly more resource-efficient approach. Obstacle certification may necessitate certain modifications and mitigations, such as the introduction of lighting or transponders to enhance visibility within airspace management.
In summary, it is advantageous for AWE systems to primarily adhere to obstacle standards, supplemented by relevant industry standards like aviation regulations to address any gaps.