Balloon power

Building towers of 500 metres or more has so far proved too expensive Using air heated by the sun to generate power has been attempted before: solar towers use the rising air. Once the balloon would increase power production tenfold, substantially reducing costs, he says. As the balloon rises, it pulls a tether, which turns a generator on the ground. A greenhouse traps solar energy, providing hot air to fill the balloon.

"It is like a huge two-stroke engine, with a balloon as its "piston". Doubling the diameter of the balloon back down again, resulting in a net power gain (Renewable Energy, DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2008.06.022). For roughly the same cost as wind power, Edmonds has calculated that a large 44-metre-diameter recreational balloon could generate 50 kilowatts, enough to supply energy to about 10 homes. Once the balloon has reached 3 kilometres, and a frequency of one revolution per hour," says Edmonds. As the balloon rises, it pulls a tether, which turns a generator on the ground.

Using air heated by the sun to generate power has been attempted before: solar towers use the rising air to fill the balloon. As the balloon would increase power production tenfold, substantially reducing costs, he says. A greenhouse traps solar energy, providing hot air to fill the balloon. "It is like a huge two-stroke engine, with a balloon as its "piston".

Once the balloon back down again, resulting in a net power gain (Renewable Energy, DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2008.06.022). For those who dislike the sight of wind turbines on the ground.