The estimate of the wind energy potential and insolation

TL;DR

This paper critically examines existing estimates of global wind energy potential, revealing that they significantly overstate the available kinetic energy in the atmosphere by more than an order of magnitude.

Contribution

It highlights the overestimation in current wind energy potential assessments, emphasizing the need for more accurate and physically consistent evaluation methods.

Findings

Current estimates vastly overstate wind energy potential

The atmospheric kinetic energy limits the feasible wind power extraction

Existing models may not account for physical constraints

Abstract

The concise letter points out that the estimates of the global potential of wind power exceeds the amount of kinetic energy in the relevant layer of atmosphere by far more than an order of magnitude. Originally submitted to the Letters section of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in August 2009.