Global Satellites May Help Harness Ocean Wind Energy

July 11th, 2008

*Random sentences about how gas prices are rising, and the need for alternative energy sources goes here*. Now rather than bore you with an intro like the previous line suggests let’s talk about something that NASA is doing, that may actually have some sort of use for us. Scientists have been creating maps using nearly a decade of data from NASA’s QuikSCAT satellite that reveal ocean areas where winds could produce wind energy.

These image maps may make it easier for us to harness ocean winds by knowing exactly where the best sources of potential wind energy are located. Production of offshore wind farms will be better researched, which is a big deal considering that we piss more money away than rock stars on a heroine binge during their random Vegas vacations.

“Wind energy is environmentally friendly. After the initial energy investment to build and install wind turbines, you don’t burn fossil fuels that emit carbon,” said study lead author Tim Liu, a senior research scientist and QuikSCAT science team leader at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. “Like solar power, wind energy is green energy.”

Buzz Word Alert: “Green Energy”

Green Energy is environmentally “responsible” energy. You probably hear the word “Green” in front of everything now, but at least this dude is actually using it for something that is a solution rather than just tossing it out there to get some votes *cough*every politician*cough*.

For more on the QuikSCAT technology and its use for Wind Energy click here.