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Geophysical limits to global wind power

Author

Listed:
  • Kate Marvel

    (Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)

  • Ben Kravitz

    (Carnegie Institution Department of Global Ecology)

  • Ken Caldeira

    (Carnegie Institution Department of Global Ecology)

Abstract

Wind power is a near-zero-emissions source of energy. Although at present wind turbines are placed on the Earth’s surface, high-altitude winds offer greater possibilities for power generation. This study uses a climate model to estimate power generation for both surface and high-altitude winds, and finds that the latter provide much more power, but at a possible climate cost. However, there are unlikely to be substantial climate effects in meeting the present global demand.

Suggested Citation

  • Kate Marvel & Ben Kravitz & Ken Caldeira, 2013. "Geophysical limits to global wind power," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 3(2), pages 118-121, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:3:y:2013:i:2:d:10.1038_nclimate1683
    DOI: 10.1038/nclimate1683
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    Cited by:

    1. Le Fouest, Sébastien & Mulleners, Karen, 2022. "The dynamic stall dilemma for vertical-axis wind turbines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 505-520.
    2. Bechtle, Philip & Schelbergen, Mark & Schmehl, Roland & Zillmann, Udo & Watson, Simon, 2019. "Airborne wind energy resource analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 1103-1116.
    3. Momeni, Farhang & Sabzpoushan, Seyedali & Valizadeh, Reza & Morad, Mohammad Reza & Liu, Xun & Ni, Jun, 2019. "Plant leaf-mimetic smart wind turbine blades by 4D printing," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 329-351.
    4. André F. C. Pereira & João M. M. Sousa, 2022. "A Review on Crosswind Airborne Wind Energy Systems: Key Factors for a Design Choice," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-40, December.
    5. Santos, J.A. & Rochinha, C. & Liberato, M.L.R. & Reyers, M. & Pinto, J.G., 2015. "Projected changes in wind energy potentials over Iberia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 68-80.
    6. Maurer, Rainer, 2015. "Auf dem Weg zur weltanschaulichen Bekenntnisschule: Das wirtschaftspolitische Leitbild der Hochschule Pforzheim," Beiträge der Hochschule Pforzheim 152, Pforzheim University.
    7. Yip, Chak Man Andrew & Gunturu, Udaya Bhaskar & Stenchikov, Georgiy L., 2016. "Wind resource characterization in the Arabian Peninsula," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 826-836.
    8. Huang, Junling & McElroy, Michael B., 2015. "A 32-year perspective on the origin of wind energy in a warming climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 482-492.
    9. Dylan Harrison-Atlas & Galen Maclaurin & Eric Lantz, 2021. "Spatially-Explicit Prediction of Capacity Density Advances Geographic Characterization of Wind Power Technical Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-28, June.
    10. Tolga Kara & Ahmet Duran Şahin, 2023. "Implications of Climate Change on Wind Energy Potential," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-26, October.
    11. Antonini, Enrico G.A. & Caldeira, Ken, 2021. "Atmospheric pressure gradients and Coriolis forces provide geophysical limits to power density of large wind farms," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    12. Warner, Kevin J. & Jones, Glenn A., 2017. "A population-induced renewable energy timeline in nine world regions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 65-76.

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