FLYING WINDMILLS

Dreamy. But maintenance could be a problem.

Newest turbines may float among clouds
April 4, 2007 (UPI)

WHO
Dave Shepard of Sky WindPower, San Diego, Magenn Power of Canada, Wubbo Ockels of Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. R&D funding by Royal Dutch Shell and natural-gas company Nederlandse Gasunie.

WHAT
Airborn wind energy generators.
Sky WindPower: an H-shaped, four-rotor flying generator. It's connected to the ground by a long cable, and the power is transmitted through aluminum cables.
Magenn Power: a helium-filled airborne wind generator for use in diesel hybrid systems.
Delft University of Technology: a kite that spins turbine generators as it climbs in altitude.

WHEN
Delft University is building a prototype. The other two are in planning stages.

WHERE
In the jet stream, 11 km (36,000 ft) up into the atmosphere.

WHY
Most wind towers are approximately 200 meters (600 ft) off the surface of land or ocean. The wind is much stronger and more constant in the jet stream.

QUOTES
Frequent maintenance will most likely be required, but Shepard says he thinks that by minimizing repairs electricity could be generated for as little as 2 cents per kilowatt hour.