About us

We are Kitenergy, an Italian innovative SME founded in 2010 and proudly committed to transforming the visionary invention of generating energy from high-altitude winds into reality.

We are a group of professionals ranging from a variety of disciplines including engineering, physics, mechanics, environmental science, management, consulting and finance, working together on the development of high-altitude wind technologies since 2006, in collaboration with universities and high-tech engineering firms. Our team is recognized at international level as pioneer in this field and has been granted several top-level innovation awards from ENI, Intesa Sanpaolo Spa, IEEE, Expo Live Dubai 2020, and was a founder and member of the Airborne Wind Energy Consortium. Kitenergy received initial scientific and seed financing support from Regione Piemonte, the Italian Ministry of Research and the European Union.

TEAM

Sebastiano Sella PRESIDENT

With a degree in Economics from Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, Milan, he is a member of the board and VP at Banca Sella Holding. He brings 6 years of international experience in Agip Mineraria (ENI Group) to the team.

Giorgio Sella BOARD MEMBER

He joined the company as a shareholder in 2020. He recently earned a BSc Business and Management degree course at the University of Buckingham (UK). He is in charge for fund raising.

Bruno Maria Frigero GENERAL DIRECTOR

He is an experienced Business Manager, he has been appointed as General Director in 2023 to sustain Kitenergy’s growth.

Maurizio Gamba TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

He is an aerospace professional, he served as senior executive for different contractors. He joined Kitenergy in 2023 to take care of the Engineering Department and Quality.

Stefano Sanmartino CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER

In 2012 he graduated in Knowledge Management and corporate communication at Università di Torino and holds a post-graduate Master in Marketing&Communication of renewable energy business conferred by Politecnico di Torino.
Since 2011 he has been working in the high-altitude energy generation sector at Kitenergy.

Gian Mauro Maneia CHIEF INNOVATION AND MARKETING OFFICER

He holds a M.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering from Politecnico di Torino and an Executive Master in Technology and Innovation Management from Bologna Business School. He served as R&D manager in different industrial fields and since 2007 he has been involved with high-altitude wind energy generation.

Ermanno Di Nuccio ENGINEERING & INTEGRATION MANAGER, SAFETY MANAGER

He is a Physical Engineer. He spent several years in the semiconductor production industry and in the automotive lighting sector. He is the Engineering & Integration Manager. Moreover he takes care about Health and Safety regulation according to D.Lgs. 81/2008.

Claudio Anlero MECHANICAL ENGINEER

He is in charge for ground segment and flight segment mechanical systems, design reviews, and for the scheduled maintenance program. He also serves as flight test pilot during experimental campaigns.

Massimo Franceschini ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

He is responsible for the electrical management system (EMS) hardware, the electrical performance analysis and the energy flows control algorithms development and implementation.

Joey Daniel Narancho Plaza ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

He contributes to autonomous flight algorithms development implementation, verification and validation with focus on energy performances.

BRAND VISION

Our forward-thinking vision is fully embodied in our brand new visual identity.

Wind and power are fused together in a strong, contemporary visual concept, where sinusoidal currents create a unique graphic pattern. These also symbolize three key elements: the sky, from which we generate clean, renewable energy; land, where we set our state-of-the art equipment; and, last but not least, the sea, where our future projects will take shape. A bold statement, representing our essence and our future.

THE STORY

After years of experimental testing, our small scale mobile prototype performs in line with our technology roadmap and is raising interest among stakeholders and potential customers.

2023
MARCH

The new horizon. The design of the new class of wind generators begins. The goal is to exceed 100 kW for single power unit

2022
OCTOBER

The development of the KE60 Mark III reaches maturity

2021
JUNE

KE 60 Mark III comes to life and the hard work of development and optimization begins

2021
MAY

New visual brand identity for Kitenergy

2021
APRIL

Rivalta di Torino (TO)

Kitenergy moves to a brand new HQ with 500 m2 of offices and workshop

2021
JANUARY

Impact Investment Fund “Sefea Impact SGR SpA” invests 1.25 M€ in Kitenergy

2020
SEPTEMBER

Verrayes (AO)
Wing concept testing and validation

2019
DECEMBER

Cerrione (BI)
New avionic test rig validation at Biella airport

2017
NOVEMBER

San Pancrazio Salentino (BR)
KE 60 Mark II commissioning hosted by Aeronautica Militare at San Pancrazio airfield

AWARDGlobal Innovator Award – ExpoLive Innovation Impact Programm, Dubai Expo2020

Certificate of Appreciation – “Our common future: Energy, Environment & Development”, Expo 2017 Astana (Kazakhstan)

2015
APRIL

Solarussa (OR)
First relevant net energy demonstration

AWARDITo Innovative Company – Osservatorio Imprese Innovative Torino e Politecnico di Torino

2014
MAY

Verrayes (AO)
Major prototype upgrade validation in the Alps

2013
JANUARY

Ascoli Satriano (FG)
The first long duration mission in Apulia Region

AWARDTerrific Renewable Energy Site

Best Presentation Award – Europe Unlimited Italian Venture Forum, Torino

2012
AUGUST

Usseaux (TO)
The first flight with KE60 at Pian dell’Alpe (TO), Italy

FEBRUARY

Prototype Construction Launch
KE60 drawings turn into reality

2011
NOVEMBER

First Investment Round
Business angels invest 840 k€ in Kitenergy

AWARDIntesa Sanpaolo Startup Initiative

IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology Outstanding Paper Award

Company selected “Italia degli Innovatori”

2010
NOVEMBER

Foundation
Kitenergy operations start in Turin

AWARDENI Awards “Debut in Research” Prize