Scientists are eying one of the most powerful winds on earth as a potential power source. The only catch: it’s over 6 miles (10 kilometers) above the surface of the earth.

The jet stream is a high altitude wind. Well known to air travelers for making some long flights quicker one way than the other. But scientists say the wind is so powerful it could provide for all current energy consumption, worldwide, a hundred times over.

The plan calls for a giant turbines which will not only gather power from the jet stream, but actually use the wind’s power to stay up like a kite. The cable serving as the string to the kite will also be the electrical transmission line taking the energy back to the earth’s surface.

Though the technology needs more research optimists predict it may be in operation within two decades. Others, while optimistic about the long term possibilities of using the jet stream to generate energy, are more cautious about the speed of adoption.

The high altitude turbines overcome the most common objections to wind turbines, they cannot be heard and will barely be visible. On the other hand they may pose new problems for planes and birds, which will have to be investigated (and if necessary overcome) as part of the new research.

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