Could Hot Air Balloons Replace Wind Turbines?
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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January 26th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I have a feeling that a balloon optimized for solar heat generation would be a little less colorful than those depicted in the article (black, perhaps?). With that in mind, I think the NIMBYists would raise quite a fuss
Also, how high does a hot air balloon usually float? 3KM sounds a little high to me, and at the very least is higher than wind turbines will reach. Between the added lightning strike issues and FAA approval, I think this approach may be more trouble than it’s worth.
January 26th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
The wikipedia article on hot air balloons indicates that the current record altitude for a hot air balloon is 21km, so 3km is well within the realm of possibility.
January 27th, 2009 at 2:01 am
They aren’t “hot air” balloons, as that requires a heat source, they are ‘meant’ to be large helium balloons and the concept has been demonstrated as a joke in a Discovery channel doco.
Simple calculations of the volume of gas needed to hold a) several tons of Iron core generator and probably a gearbox as used in conventional wind turbines b) Kilometres of high voltage cable and tether prove the idea is not viable. What do you think 3 – 21km of power cable weigh? Every time the altitude increases the balloon has to carry a heavier cable tether. In the doco they tried to use a prototype carbon fibre tether laced with conductors, but you can’t avoid the conductor cross section required to carry the power it’s meant to generate and it has to be made of copper/aluminium.
The liability problems alone of tethering a generator and power line from a passively controlled balloon in a populated area kill the idea.
To top all the above as a balloon is a semi ridged structure at best with no solid mounting the documentary demonstrated there was no way it could deflect significant airflow to capture the winds energy, the balloon just blows around and deforms under wind pressure.
The original announcement of this idea talked about MW, now they’ve dropped that to 50kw. In the field test they actually failed to generate a steady 15 watts!
January 27th, 2009 at 3:25 am
Paul, I think you misunderstood the system proposed. The ’several tonnes of iron core generator’ would be on the ground itself, and a high voltage cable up to 21km is not needed. A light, but strong, carbon fiber is more than enough for the job of turning the generator on the ground.
January 27th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
The balloon shaped like a turbine we saw a couple of years ago seems like a better proposition. No news about it since then either.
January 27th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
i’m curious about the bird issue, since that seems to be a big complaint about wind turbines — that it’s a threat to the birds. would giant rising and descending balloons, attached with cables to objects on the ground be a solution to the bird complaint? i have my doubts, but just curious. i’m interested in the more technical details of how this balloon plan is supposed to work.
January 28th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I see a lot of comments about Colour, non relevent cable, power output and whether it would be in a populated area. Not to mention those birds. Try this, triple the canopy, put it in the “Australian Red . Centre” and give it a go. What are you guys on about This ‘particular’ engine is only just about to be given a go…I hope. Don’t be so negative, embrace the elements and have some faith. Out of curiosity, can someone out there explain gravity for me?
January 28th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I love this idea and the way “Hasse” described the idea is the way I imagined it.
I need the author of this story to provide a direct link to information that gives details.
This such a simple and beatiful idea, I need more information.
My problem is that I keep thinking the author should be asking the following questions.
1. How much would it cost to create an idealized version that cold be compared to a large windmill? Both producing the same amount of electricity per year.
2. How would it handle severe weather?
etc.
May 1st, 2009 at 1:59 am
I understand the up process, but I have a great many questions about the down. What will the process be for insuring the balloon comes down near the base. How are they going to wind up the tether. That would take a big motor and lots of energy and some time or a small motor and lots of time and energy.
I think its a great idea and would love to see it in action.