AWETRAIN holds first training week in Delft

The AWETRAIN project recently held its first training workshop in Delft, the Netherlands.

Bringing together doctoral candidates, researchers and industry partners, the week focused on building a shared understanding of airborne wind energy and strengthening connections across the network.

A shared starting point

The programme offered a broad introduction to AWE, from technical fundamentals to market and societal aspects, while also guiding participants through the structure of the AWETRAIN project and its work packages.

Connecting research and industry

A key highlight of the week was the strong involvement of industry. Participants visited Kitepower’s headquarters, where they engaged directly with engineers, researchers and company leadership.

Together with contributions from both Kitepower and Kitemill, these sessions provided valuable insights into technology development, business strategies and the challenges of bringing AWE systems to market.

These exchanges helped bridge the gap between research and real-world application, offering a clearer view of where the sector stands today, and where it is heading.

Learning by doing

The workshop also went beyond the classroom. During a session on the beach, participants had the chance to fly kites, connecting theory with practice and gaining a more intuitive understanding of airborne wind energy concepts.

Watch the video footage of the kite flying exercises below.

Building a network

Equally important was the opportunity to connect. This was the first time all work package teams met in person, allowing them to align on their research and explore collaboration opportunities.

Another central moment of the week was the PhD pitches, where each doctoral candidate presented their project and exchanged feedback. This helped identify synergies across the network and laid the groundwork for joint publications and secondments between partners.

In parallel, sessions on PhD planning, communication and transferable skills supported the early development of the doctoral candidates.

Looking ahead

By the end of the week, all objectives had been met. Participants left with a stronger understanding of AWE, not only as a technology, but as part of a wider societal and market context, and with a growing sense of community within the network.

The workshop sets a solid foundation for the next phases of AWETRAIN, including upcoming training activities and continued collaboration across partners.