Could Hot Air Balloons Replace Wind Turbines?

January 26th, 2009 by Ariel Schwartz

Many people complain about the unsightliness of wind turbines, but I’ve never met anyone who has a problem with hot air balloons— and that’s precisely why balloon power could catch on.

Environmental consultant Ian Edmonds has developed a “balloon engine” that could potentially compete with wind power. According to Edmonds, a 44 meter-diameter balloon could generate 50 kW of power—enough energy for 10 homes. If the balloon’s diameter is doubled, power production increases tenfold.

Edmond’s system works by using solar energy to fill a balloon with hot air. The rising balloon pulls a tether, which turns a generator on the ground. Once the balloon has floated up to 3 kilometers, air is released and it loses buoyancy. The balloon needs less energy to be pulled down and a net power gain is reached as a result.

What do you think— would NIMBY-ers protest hot air balloons?

Photo Credit: CC licensed by Flickr user Soller Photo









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