Wind energy as a solar-driven heat engine: A thermodynamic approach

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43 Scopus citations

Abstract

An upper bound on annual average energy in the Earth's winds is calculated via the formalism of finite-time thermodynamics. The Earth's atmosphere is viewed as the working fluid of a heat engine where the heat input is solar radiation, the heat rejection is to the surrounding universe, and the work output is the energy in the Earth's winds. The upper bound for the annual average power in the Earth's winds is found to be 17 W/m2, which can be contrasted with the actual estimated annual average wind power of 7 W/m2. Our thermodynamic model also predicts the average extreme temperatures of the Earth's atmosphere and can be applied to wind systems on other planets.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)995-998
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Physics
Volume57
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1989

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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