Two Google efforts - solar thermal and high-altitude wind

[jpak]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/28/MNK4TJVIT.DTL

<snip>

Solar thermal

One of the companies Google touted Tuesday, eSolar of Pasadena, develops solar power plants large enough to light a small city.

The basic idea is simple enough. An array of mirrors focuses sunlight on a tower, generating intense heat. That heat, carried by a liquid flowing through the tower, is used to generate steam. The steam turns a turbine and produces electricity.

<snip>

High-altitude wind

The problem with windmills is that sometimes the wind simply doesn't blow. But climb a mile or two into the atmosphere, and the wind turns into a constant, powerful force.

Alameda startup Makani Power, another Google partner, wants to tap that energy. The company won't say how, refusing to divulge details of its technology and plans. But several Makani executives boast experience with designing kites and sails.

<more>