Electricity generation from jet-stream winds

The feasibility of generating electricity from jet-stream winds has been investigated. Analysis of published meteorological data indicates that annual average power densities approaching 20 kW/m2 are available in the jet-stream altitudes over the complete west-east extent of Australia at a latitude of about 30° S. Computer-based optimization studies indicate that a 100 MW power station based on tethered aerodynamic generating platforms located at a jet-stream altitude would generate electricity at capital and operating costs that are competitive with other methods of electricity generation. The design of the tethered aerodynamic generating platform requires a high lift-to-weight ratio platform housing high power-to-weight ratio diffuser-augmented wind turbines and tethered by a high strength-to-weight ratio cable. Key design parameters include the turbine power coefficient and power-drag coefficient, the rated speed, and the stall speed. The required turbine area is determined primarily by the power coefficient and the rated speed. The cable weight depends directly on the drag associated with the maximum (rated) power generation which follows from the choice of rated speed. The wing area of the aerodynamic platform is fixed usually by the stall speed.