Wind
Data
For: 2006
Release Date: April 2008
Next Release Date: April 2009
| Table 3. Classes of Wind Power Density at Heights of 10 m and 50 m (a) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Power Class* | 10 m (33 ft) | 50 m (164 ft) | ||
| Wind Power Density (W/m2) | Speed(b) m/s (mph) | Wind Power Density (W/m2) | Speed(b) m/s (mph) | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 100 | 4.4 (9.8) | 200 | 5.6 (12.5) | |
| 2 | 150 | 5.1 (11.5) | 300 | 6.4 (14.3) |
| 3 | 200 | 5.6 (12.5) | 400 | 7.0 (15.7) |
| 4 | 250 | 6.0 (13.4) | 500 | 7.5 (16.8) |
| 5 | 300 | 6.4 (14.3) | 600 | 8.0 (17.9) |
| 6 | 400 | 7.0 (15.7) | 800 | 8.8 (19.7) |
| 7 | 1,000 | 9.4 (21.1) | 2,000 | 11.9 (26.6) |
| a Vertical extrapolation of wind
speed based on the 1/7 power law. b Mean wind speed is based on Rayleigh speed distribution of equivalent mean wind power density. Wind speed is for standard sea-level conditions. To maintain the same power density, speed increases 3%/1000 m (5%/5000 ft) elevation. * Note: Each wind power class should span two power densities. For example, Wind Power Class = 3 represents the Wind Power Density range between 150 W/m2 and 200 W/m2. The offset cells in the first column attempt to illustrate this concept. | ||||
| More Data on Wind Power | Formats | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Table 1.5a Historical Renewable Energy Consumption by Energy Use Sector and Energy Source | xls | ||
| Table 1.5b Historical Renewable Energy Consumption by Energy Use Sector and Energy Source | xls | ||
| Table 1.11 Electricity Net Generation From Renewable Energy by Energy Use Sector and Energy Source | xls | ||
| Table 1.12 U.S. Electric Net Summer Capacity | xls | ||
| Database
of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) Wind
Resources on Federal Lands
Wind Land Cover Characteristics and Weights Wind Resource Potential (Map) |
750 kW NEG Micon Turbine in Moorhead Minnesota. Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Photographic Information Exchange. |
Winds are created by uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, irregularities of the Earth's surface, and the rotation of the Earth. As a result, winds are strongly influenced and modified by local terrain, bodies of water, weather patterns, vegetative cover, and other factors. The wind flow, or motion of energy when harvested by wind turbines, can be used to generate electricity. Wind-based electricity generating capacity has increased markedly in the United States since 1970, although it remains a small faction of total electric capacity.