Eco Factor: Prototype wind turbine generates 30KW of renewable electrical power.
With the devastating oil spill continuing to bleed into the Gulf of Mexico, affordable alternative energy feels more pressing. Utilities are now recognizing the potential of large scale renewable energy generators that can one day power the planet with green energy. Joby Energy is finding solutions in high altitude winds, which have an estimated potential of 800 terawatts.
The company is now testing prototypes of its wind turbine, with a 30KW system that looks like an airplane, sans cockpit. The system includes an array of turbines that lift the structure into the air vertically. Once deployed, the system moves in a giant circular motion to maximize exposure to cross-winds. Electricity generated by the turbines is then transmitted back via the tether.
Joby Energy states that the system is reliable and efficient, as it generates power onboard and transmits electricity as opposed to mechanical energy. If the tests are successful, the company will try out a 100KW version next year.
Via: Discovery
