Kitemill is deepening its cooperation with Norwegian U-space service provider AirDodge to accelerate the deployment of Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) through smarter use of shared airspace. As airborne systems move closer to commercial viability, their flexibility within complex aviation environments is proving to be a key advantage—particularly in regions where traditional wind power projects are often rejected due to airspace conflicts.
Unlike stationary turbines, AWE systems fall under unmanned aviation regulations, allowing for a faster, more resource-efficient path through regulatory processes. When combined with modern U-space services, this approach ensures high levels of safety and accountability—while significantly reducing the risk of permit rejections tied to aviation concerns.
AirDodge’s U-space platform will now be developed and tested at Lista Airport, where Kitemill has already established a structured and active airspace operation. This creates an ideal sandbox environment for introducing and validating U-space services in a real-world context. With flight operations already in place, the collaboration provides a unique opportunity to build, iterate, and scale safe airspace coordination tools tailored specifically for Airborne Wind Energy—laying the foundation for future deployment across Norway and Europe.
To mark the start of this new phase, AirDodge CEO Umar Ghuman and CTO Serhii Yevtushenko recently visited Kitemill’s facilities at Lista. Their visit kicked off a focused period of hands-on collaboration aimed at building the next generation of U-space capabilities for airborne renewable energy.
The global implications are clear. In countries like Sweden, many large-scale wind projects have been blocked due to airspace overlaps with military zones. AWE’s mobile, retractable nature offers a new model: one that allows systems to vacate airspace on demand, supporting emergency operations and national security needs—without sacrificing energy output.
This built-in adaptability is a strategic advantage. It not only enables coexistence with other airspace users—it actively removes a critical barrier that continues to stall traditional renewable energy infrastructure.
By combining intelligent aviation tech with clean energy innovation, Kitemill and AirDodge are creating a blueprint for a faster, safer, and more flexible transition to renewables. This is not compromise—it’s coordinated progress.
