Hi, Carnot efficiency = delta T / T. This will be approx. delta P / P.
Since the average maximum high pressure region is about 1030 mBar, and the average minimum low pressure region is about 970 mBar, delta P = 60 mBar, thus delta P / P is 60/970 ~ 6%. This is thus also the Carnot efficiency for the conversion of Solar energy into wind energy, actual conversion will be less, not least because not all insolation goes into driving that particular heat engine. Since surface insolation is approx. 116000 Terrawatts (TW) (taking into account an average albedo for the planet of about 30%), 6% of this is about 7000 TW. Total human power consumption is about 14 TW, which is thus about 0.2 % of the wind energy available world wide. IOW there is about 500 times more wind power available than we actually need. Of course most of this is way out to sea, where we can't use it. Regards, Robin van Spaandonk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
