wind power

Tyer Wind in Tunisia developed a wind turbine that mimics the flapping motion of hummingbirds' wings. Rated power output is 1 kW, using two carbon-fiber wings, each 5.25-ft long. At rated power, it operates at 450 rpm. The machine is currently undergoing open air/real conditions testing.

Compared to oil in the ground, the sun looks like a limitless energy source. Making comparisons of the two by calculating the equivalent of barrels of reserves for a solar project seems like an odd notion, but experts say it can and should be done.

Wind power via floating turbines could be used to pump oil from remote offshore fields in the way windmills were once used to pump water from wells in arid West Texas.