Companies look for power way, way up in the sky

— BOSTON (AP) - The world's strongest winds race high in the sky, but that doesn't mean they're out of reach as a potentially potent energy source.

Researchers and entrepreneurs are developing an array of flying turbines to turn high-altitude wind into electricity. But the industry has a long way to go.

Perhaps the biggest challenge is creating a turbine that can stay up on its own for prolonged periods while dependably sending energy through a ground tether.

Designs are being tested, including a kite with high-speed rotors that generate power as the kite flies in a circle. There's also a floating turbine that spins inside an inflatable shroud.

The potential is immense. Scientists say the wind energy in the jet streams, for instance, is 100 times the amount of power used worldwide annually.


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