First flight: The balloons from Germany are supposed to create an energy conversion

Cheap and safe wind energy – this is Aeerstatica’s goal. The Ravensburg-based company, founded in 2022, plans to transport the newly developed balloons to heights of up to 300 metres. There they will generate wind energy using two opposing rotors – one in front and one in back.

The balloons do not move, but are held in place by lines. The big advantage: At an altitude of 300 metres, the wind is eight times stronger than on land, where traditional wind turbines are located. “Our concept has the potential to make Germany’s electricity supply independent of expensive and sometimes unsafe energy imports,” says Managing Director David Gerber.

– Lengths from 100 to 250 meters

Aeerstatica balloons are designed to generate power via their rotors. This is then routed through the cable to the ground station. Boss Gerber lists the advantages of his idea: “Highest cost-effectiveness, continuous availability, minimal interference with nature and landscape, mobility, no noise pollution, and no risk to birds.”

The prototype is on its maiden flight. Image: Aerestatica

The first flight of a ten-meter prototype took place in Augsburg these days. Experts at Ravensburg are already planning to create a 50-metre test balloon, which will look like the finished product. Gerber says the series’ products are scalable. Lengths are scheduled to range between 100 and 250 metres.

Lots of cheap electricity

The Aeerstatica energy balloon is expected to one day generate more than 10 million kilowatt-hours per year. This roughly corresponds to the consumption of a small town with a population of 4,000. Production must be cheap – the cost per kilowatt-hour should be only 0.03 euros.