High altitude wind energy, if developed and executed effectively, has the potential to replace a significant percentage of the power generated from oil and traditional wind turbines. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, High Altitude Wind Energy – Visionary Outlook, finds that the focus of ongoing research programs is twofold: tapping kinetic energy from high winds and enhancing generation techniques.
While the power generation procedures are sound, the nascent industry is still struggling to find ways to quantify and substantiate results to attract further investments. Actual outcomes in terms of power generation, market size and disruption potential remain unclear. Publicising results from pilot projects and demonstrations could help companies evaluate the system performance against the promises made. In a field that is still in the research and demonstration stages and where most companies employ similar designs, this open approach will encourage innovations. Funds from the governments of the United States, Italy, Germany and Switzerland are already aiding the development of new technologies. Apart from governments, the high altitude wind power market has drawn big investors such as Google and Mitsubishi. If the performance of pilot projects in high altitude wind power systems validate the theoretical numbers provided by researchers, the industry will deploy commercial units in or post 2017, said TechVision Research Analyst Guhan Sriram R V
