Companies Look To Promise Of High-Altitude Wind Power.

The AP (5/30, Lindsay) reports experts such as Cristina Archer, an atmospheric scientist at the California State University in Chico, say "there's 'not a doubt anymore' that high-altitude winds will be tapped for power," but the specifics remain hazy. According to one estimate from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the commercial application of such technology is roughly a decade away. Additionally, above 2,000 feet these power systems would encounter an array of federal air-space regulations which would need to be addressed. "And each turbine concept awaits extensive testing on its reliability, durability and effectiveness," said Fort Felker, director of NREL's National Wind Technology Center, adding that "keeping the turbines operating autonomously over long periods in changing weather may be the biggest obstacle." The AP notes that researchers are developing varying approaches to address this problem.