PhD defense alert: Niels Pynaert

AWEsim: A Geometry-Resolved Aero-Servo-Elastic Framework for Airborne Wind Energy Simulations

Your are invited to join the PhD Defense of:

Name: Niels Pynaert

Title: AWEsim: A Geometry-Resolved Aero-Servo-Elastic Framework for Airborne Wind Energy Simulations

Topic: Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) is a renewable energy technology that converts wind power using autonomously controlled aircraft. These aircraft fly on a tether in circular patterns perpendicular to the wind. Because they can operate at higher altitudes than conventional wind turbines, they can access stronger and more consistent wind flows, which allows more renewable energy to be generated with significantly less material use.

In this research, I developed AWEsim, a high-fidelity computational model that simultaneously simulates the aircraft’s motion, aerodynamics, and structural deformation. These complex interactions, known as aero-servo-elasticity, largely determine both the power output and the operational safety of the system. Using AWEsim, I simulate an AWE aircraft flying power-generating cycles under realistic wind conditions. The results show how the airflow around the wings evolves throughout the cycle, how the aircraft responds to the flight controller, and how the wings deform during flight.

This knowledge contributes to the development of more reliable and efficient AWE systems, bringing the technology closer to large-scale deployment in a fully renewable energy future.

Date defense: 23 February 2026 | 16.15 PM