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) |
More Data on Wind Power | Formats |
Table 1.5a Historical Renewable Energy Consumption by
Energy Use Sector and Energy Source |
pdf | xls |
Table 1.5b Historical Renewable Energy Consumption
by Energy Use Sector and Energy Source |
pdf | xls |
Table 1.11 Electricity Net Generation From
Renewable Energy by Energy Use Sector and Energy Source |
pdf | xls |
Table 1.12 U.S. Electric Net Summer Capacity |
pdf | xls |
|
750 kW NEG Micon Turbine in Moorhead Minnesota. | 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. |