Wind Turbines in the Sky

As shown at left, it’s possible to use helium ballons to lift a wind turbine high into the troposphere, where wind currents are stronger and more stable than they are near the Earth’s surface.  Experiments with such devices have been being conducted since long before 2GreenEnergy came on the scene in 2009.

There are intrinsic limitations to this approach, however.  Long tethers can run afoul of aviation, and they face extreme stress and operational complexity. Translation: huge costs, which is why we don’t see these in commercial use.

Did China test one of these?  Probably.  About 20 years ago.