Wind energy at 1,600 to 40,000 feet, Feasible

[flatmaster]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/06/16/high-altitude.wind.power/index.html


Basically two designs, one a helium-filled turbine. The other would be a kite that goes up and down.

Is this feasible? I see a major issue being the weight of cable that the device would need to support.

 

[berkeman]

Interesting. Kind of ironic that the best winds are up in the Jet Stream, where planes like to fly to conserve energy...

 

[mgb_phys]

Interesting. Kind of ironic that the best winds are up in the Jet Stream, where planes like to fly to conserve energy...

Depends which direction you are going!
Kind of ironic that the wind wants to get from the USA to Europe!

 

[berkeman]

Depends which direction you are going!
Kind of ironic that the wind wants to get from the USA to Europe!

Well... Let's just say that it bypasses the US in favor of Europe. Sounds better that way...

 

[Mike_In_Plano]

Hmmm, doesn't it go from China to the US?
- The winds of fortune come bearing a trade imbalance.

 

[Topher925]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/06/16/high-altitude.wind.power/index.html


Basically two designs, one a helium-filled turbine. The other would be a kite that goes up and down.

Is this feasible? I see a major issue being the weight of cable that the device would need to support.

Theres actually about a half dozen designs that are being developed right now for high altitude wind generation. As you stated one of the major design challenges is of the tether but also the winch that houses it on the ground. All the designs I have seen are feasible, but whether or not they are practical is whole other matter.