Successful Field Testing of the World's First Buoyant Megawatt‐Scale High‐Altitude Wind Energy System

ABSTRACT In September 2025, the world's first buoyant megawatt‐scale high‐altitude wind energy system (HAWES) successfully completed its initial field deployment and structural validation in Hami, China. The prototype is a buoyant aerostat operating at 1500 m, equipped with 12 turbine‐generators to harness the stronger and more consistent winds found at that altitude. The HAWES concept offers compelling advantages: higher wind‐power density allows for significantly lighter components (1.16 tonnes vs. over 10 tonnes for conventional turbines), whereas steadier winds improve the capacity factor, benefiting grid integration. Key technical challenges for the system include the design of a deeply integrated, lightweight electrical topology and the management of wind speed heterogeneity caused by the aerostat's operational tilt. To validate its core functionality, the system's power generation capability was evaluated through off‐grid load tests conducted in a PSCAD/EMTDC simulation environment. The simulation, which successfully modelled the nonuniform wind conditions, confirmed the design's feasibility by demonstrating a stable start‐up process and a steady‐state power output of 1.135 MW.