Reassessing thermodynamic and dynamic constraints on global wind power

TL;DR

This paper derives a new expression for global wind power based on physical principles, clarifies the roles of atmospheric components, and critiques previous methods, emphasizing the importance of water vapor dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel derivation linking wind power to measurable atmospheric parameters and addresses errors in prior analyses involving phase transitions.

Findings

Identifies three components of atmospheric power: horizontal, vertical, and gravitational.

Highlights errors in previous wind power estimates due to improper treatment of phase transitions.

Discusses physical constraints and the role of water vapor condensation in wind power.

Abstract

Starting from basic physical principles, we present a novel derivation linking the global wind power to measurable atmospheric parameters. The resulting expression distinguishes three components of the atmospheric power (the kinetic power associated with horizontal and vertical motion and the gravitational power of precipitation) and highlights problems with previous approaches. Focusing on Lalibert\'e et al. (2015), we show how inappropriate treatment of material derivatives in the presence of phase transitions leads to significant errors in wind power analyses. We discuss the physical constraints on global wind power and the opportunities provided by considering the dynamic effects of water vapor condensation.