Wind Research
Wind power is a key renewable source of energy, accounting for nearly 5 percent of electricity produced in the United States. At PNNL, we're committed to advancing wind energy through our expertise in atmospheric sciences, modeling, data management, and market analysis. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) as a leader in wind power research, our work focuses on improving ways to forecast wind patterns, optimize wind farms, and integrate wind energy with the power grid.
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How the Wind Blows
Scientists at PNNL worked with partners to study the effect of different variables in forecasting wind speed and power at turbine hub heights. Using a range of values as opposed to values that were previously viewed as constants, the team found depending on the variables chosen, wind power could range from 20 to 100 percent of the rated power during select time periods.
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The Ultimate Wind Energy Research Assistant: WREN Hub
A PNNL-developed website called Tethys supports a growing community of researchers, regulators, and developers in the areas of wind and marine energy. Tethys added a resource called WREN Hub to provide users with an easily searchable database of white papers and scientific reports regarding how wind energy devices impact wildlife.
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Distributed Wind Market Report Finds Local Wind is Powering More U.S. Companies
Distributed wind is used all across the United States. The fourth annual Distributed Wind Market Report provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. distributed wind market, including insights into the market's trends and characteristics.
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Buoy Makes a Splash off New Jersey Coast
A $1.3 million buoy, the second of its kind, was recently deployed off of the coast of New Jersey. The buoys are equipped with meteorological and oceanographic gear that measures and helps predict the power-producing potential of winds that blow off shores in the United States.
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Turn Baby, Turn: Small Wind Exports Generate more than Power
According to the 2014 Distributed Wind Market Report—prepared by PNNL researchers in conjunction with the DOE’s Wind and Water Power Technologies Office—nearly 74,000 distributed wind turbines are now in operation within the U.S., totaling 906 megawatts of power.