China Tests the World’s Largest Flying Wind Turbine

The S1500 is essentially an energy-generating aerostat, combining a gas-filled balloon with a large circular wing that channels wind flow into the system. The device is massive — 60×40×40 meters — and can operate at altitudes of up to 1500 meters, where wind is stronger and more consistent than near the ground.

Inside the structure are 12 turbo-generators, each producing 100 kilowatts, with a total output of 1.2 megawatts. The wind flows through the ring, accelerates, and spins multiple turbines inside. The electricity is then transferred to a ground station via a special power cable tethering the aerostat.

Tests were conducted in desert conditions, where the system was evaluated for resistance to high winds, overpressure, and repeated launches. The results confirmed the S1500’s reliability and efficiency.

Flying wind turbines like the S1500 could serve as autonomous "energy beacons" for remote villages, observatories, or field expeditions where traditional power infrastructure is unavailable.