China is preparing to test a groundbreaking airborne power generation system that looks like an airship but functions like a wind turbine.
Developed by Beijing SAWES Energy Technology Company in partnership with Tsinghua University and the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the new system is known as the S1500. It has a rated capacity of 1 MW, which Weng Hanke, the company’s chief technology officer, says is “equivalent to a traditional 328-foot [100-meter] wind turbine.”
What makes the S1500 unique is its operating altitude. Conventional turbines typically tap into winds at around 656 feet (200 meters) above ground, but the S1500 floats at 4,921 feet (1,500 meters), where air currents are steadier and significantly stronger. According to Weng, wind speeds at this height are roughly three times faster than at ground level, which could result in up to 27 times greater power output.
The airborne turbine uses helium to lift itself skyward, carrying lightweight, carbon-fiber micro-generators, 12 in total, built into its duct. At less than one tonne (2,204 pounds), the system is light enough to ascend quickly and remain stable in high-altitude winds. Electricity generated in the air is then sent to the ground via a tethered cable.
This latest development follows a series of earlier floating turbine trials by SAWES. In October 2024, the company tested the S500, which reached 1,640 feet (500 meters) and generated over 50 kW of power. That trial broke records both for maximum flight time and for power output at altitude.
In January 2025, the more powerful S1000 was launched, rising to 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) with an output of 100 kW. Each stage has brought refinements, and with the S1500, the company has added new safety measures, including systems to prevent helium leakage. According to SAWES, these advances could keep the airborne platform operational for more than 25 years.
SAWES envisions the floating turbines as a versatile energy solution, especially useful for emergency rescue operations, remote surveys, and off-grid power supply. Weng emphasized that the system can be rapidly deployed: “It could immediately be launched upon the need to provide energy at any site.”
Looking ahead, CEO Dun Tianrui has set even more ambitious goals. The company ultimately aims to send turbines as high as 32,808 feet (10,000 meters), where wind flow is estimated to be up to 200 times stronger than at ground level.
If successful, such a system could produce vastly higher outputs, unlocking an entirely new dimension of wind energy generation.