Jet Streams as Power Generating Electrical Energy in Libya

Abstract

The supreme wind sources are extremely huge, and according to estimations, these winds can supply Libya with a great quantity of electrical energy. Among the examples of contemporary engineering technologies in this field, is to create a new generation of Airborne Wind Turbines. Scientists realized that winds near the Earth’s surface are too weak to provide a regular source of energy due to the presence of aerobic swirls and obstacles, which represent a source of ground friction being the cause of weakening wind power. Some consider that the Earth’s surface is a totally inappropriate place for investing wind energy. As an alternative solution, we start to think about the establishment of wind farms in another place away from the Earth’s surface by developing a new type that can run within the upper-air layers, precisely at jet streams areas. In comparison with fluctuating winds blowing gently near the Earth’s surface, scientists estimate that the energy of jet streams increases a thousand times than that can be gathered from the most powerful winds on high hills. To be able to provide a clear picture of the possibility of energy investment of jet streams, we shall present, across the pages of this paper, an explanation of the topic through the following aspects: How do Airborne Wind Turbines’ trip start, their advantages and difficulties faced, benefits and economic feasibility, General Atmospheric Circulation and jet streams. Since Libya is among the fortunate countries in the world, through which subtropical jet streams pass, we made an analysis and follow-up of daily synoptic charts, which show jet winds’ speed, direction, and their altitudes for a period of 60 consecutive months starting from January 1, 2003, until December 31, 2007. Also, an analysis was made of daily observational data of jet winds recorded by Tripoli Upper-air Station during the period from the beginning of March 1987 until the end of February 1989. The paper’s results summarized that jet streams will be in the future one of the important clean energy strategic sources, and can provide a capacity, whose expected intensity is up to 19 kilowatts per square meter. It recommends giving attention to jet streams at the research, experimental and technological levels because research, experimental and technological proficiencies can provide more exciting solutions for energy problems in Libya.