Fossil fuels currently provide most of the world's energy but have environmental impacts and limited reserves, while energy demand is increasing. High-altitude wind power could provide a large, renewable source of energy, as winds are stronger and more consistent at higher altitudes. However, current designs for harvesting high-altitude winds have technological issues like equipment failure and challenges connecting to the electric grid. Further development is needed to solve these problems and fully explore high-altitude wind power's potential to provide a major new source of clean energy.

1. A Prospective Look at High-Altitude Wind Power William Price Roger Walker 4/9/2011

4. History of Wind Power: Ground-Based