Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2016-203
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2016-203
05 Apr 2016
 | 05 Apr 2016
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal ACP but the revision was not accepted.

Quantifying the global atmospheric power budget

Anastassia M. Makarieva, Victor G. Gorshkov, Andrei V. Nefiodov, Douglas Sheil, Antonio Donato Nobre, and Bai-Lian Li

Abstract. Starting from the definition of mechanical work for an ideal gas, we present a novel derivation linking global wind power to measurable atmospheric parameters. The resulting expression distinguishes three components: the kinetic power associated with horizontal motion, the kinetic power associated with vertical motion and the gravitational power of precipitation. We discuss the caveats associated with integration of material derivatives in the presence of phase transitions and how these affect published analyses of global atmospheric power. Using the MERRA database for the years 2009–2015 (three hourly data on the 1.25° x 1.25° grid at 42 pressure levels) we estimate total atmospheric power at 3.1 W m−2 and kinetic power at 2.6 W m−2. The difference between the two (0.5 W m−2) is about half the independently estimated gravitational power of precipitation (1 W m−2). We explain how this discrepancy arises from the limited spatial and temporal resolution of the database. Our analysis suggests that the total atmospheric power calculated with a spatial resolution of the order of one kilometer (thus capturing the small moist convective eddies) should be around 5 W m−2. We discuss the physical constraints on global atmospheric power and how considering the dynamic effects of water vapor condensation offers new opportunities.

Anastassia M. Makarieva, Victor G. Gorshkov, Andrei V. Nefiodov, Douglas Sheil, Antonio Donato Nobre, and Bai-Lian Li
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Anastassia M. Makarieva, Victor G. Gorshkov, Andrei V. Nefiodov, Douglas Sheil, Antonio Donato Nobre, and Bai-Lian Li
Anastassia M. Makarieva, Victor G. Gorshkov, Andrei V. Nefiodov, Douglas Sheil, Antonio Donato Nobre, and Bai-Lian Li

Viewed

Total article views: 1,774 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
1,355 326 93 1,774 80 95
  • HTML: 1,355
  • PDF: 326
  • XML: 93
  • Total: 1,774
  • BibTeX: 80
  • EndNote: 95
Views and downloads (calculated since 05 Apr 2016)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 05 Apr 2016)

Cited

Saved

Latest update: 28 Mar 2024
Download
Short summary
Why the Earth's atmospheric power – the rate at which solar energy is converted to wind – takes the value it does has long challenged theorists. We identify distinct terms in the atmospheric power budget and highlight their meaning and implications. We note problems with past estimates of this global power and generate our own for 2009–2015 using available gridded data. Spatial changes in atmospheric moisture, such as those caused by forest loss, will impact wind power, circulation and climate.
Altmetrics