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 is currently attending BSc Business and Management degree course at the University of Buckingham (UK).
Paolo Petrini BOARD MEMBER
He holds a M.Sc. and a PhD with honors in Electronic Engineering from Politecnico di Torino. After a career in avionics and defense system development he is currently a contract Professor at Politecnico di Torino, DIMEAS.
Mario Milanese FOUNDER AND SHAREHOLDER
He has been Full Professor of Systems and Control at Politecnico di Torino from 1980 to 2011. His research interests include identification, prediction, filtering and control of complex systems with applications to biomedical, automotive, aerospace, financial, environmental, and energy problems. He’s recognized as one of the key researchers in the field of high-altitude wind energy and is a key speaker at major international events.
Franco Taddei FOUNDER AND SHAREHOLDER
He graduated in Mechanical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano. He’s a renowned expert in mechanical engineering at international level with over 30 years of experience. In 1984 he founded CeSI, an engineering company that operates mainly in machine tools and in the precision mechanical engineering field. For many years he has been lecturer of Industrial Technology at Università LIUC di Castellanza (VA).
Massimo Lucco Borlera SHAREHOLDER
He’s a former senior executive in the Financial and Banking Sector and a well-regarded expert in international finance with over 30 years of experience. He holds a B.S.B.A in finance and an M.B.A. in International Business from the University of Hartford, Connecticut.
Stefano Sanmartino CHIEF OPERATING 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 FLIGHT TEST TEAM LEADER
Ermanno is a Physical Engineer. He spent several years in the microchip production industry and in the automotive lighting sector. He recently joined the team as Flight Test Team Leader and Safety Manager, taking care of test planning and flight safety.
Mònica Sallarès Fité AEROSPACE ENGINEER
She is in charge for flight performance recording, post processing and analysis. She contributes to Computational Fluid Dynamics, flight mechanics modelling and avionic sensors integration and validation.
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.
Valerio Zanghì MECHATRONIC ENGINEER
He is in charge for satellite navigation and precise kite’s motion tracking. He contributes to autonomous flight algorithms development implementation, verification and validation.
Juan José Cerutti AEROSPACE ENGINEER
He holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Politecnico di Torino. He is in charge for Computational Fluid Dynamics team, and he serves as flight test pilot during the 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.
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.
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