Researchers and scientists have recently found high altitude
winds could be used to meet the world’s energy demands. Ideas of machines to
harness this power of strong winds well above the surface of the planet have
been coming from a field known as airborne wind energy. Scientists from NCAR,
DNVGL, and the University of Delaware have begun studies to determine the where
the strongest winds are and how much power we could gain from them. I think
this could prove to be a viable option to soothe the world’s energy needs.
However these high altitude wind farms could have environmental impacts similar
to traditional wind farms such as aviation hazards for birds and planes. (http://www.flyingmag.com/technique/accidents/piper-lance-crashes-south-dakota-wind-turbine)
http://www.enn.com/energy/article/47705
Neat article! While visiting Beech Mountain, North Carolina last summer I noticed a high altitude wind farm was being constructed. I stopped and talked to students from Appalachian State that were building the farm. It was great to hear how much energy they though could be produced by a single large windmill. The project App State was doing sounded very similar to the project being done by the scientists in the article. I believe that the rewards of wind energy greatly outweigh the risks. Windmills, even constructed at high elevations, don’t reach near high enough to affect airplanes. Windmills could affect a bird here and there, but so could the burning of fossil fuels to create power instead. I love the idea of wind energy apposed to other less environmentally friendly methods.
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