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PALO ALTO, Calif. (KCBS) -- The idea of tapping the wind to generate electricity is hardly a new one, but researchers at Stanford are taking the concept to whole new heights.
Climate scientist Cristina Archer would like to look as high as 30,000 feet to harness wind power.
"There is so much energy in the wind as soon as you start going up in the atmosphere," Archer said.
KCBS' Jeff Bell Reports
Archer and her Stanford research partner Ken Caldiera are looking to tap the power of high-altitude jetstreams through kite turbines that would send electricity back to earth via massive tethers.
"I think we are in between science fiction and practical," Archer said.
The concept is practical enough that high-tech kite manufacturers are now testing prototypes. And her research team has considered the potential problems of commercial aviation, but Archer says the devices can only be flown in restricted airspace.
Archer and Caldiera's findings were published in the journal Energies last month.
(ewi)
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