Total wind capacity in the United States reached 9,149 MW by the end of 2005, with large scale wind turbines operating in 30 states. For 2006, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) predicted we will have the biggest year yet, with an estimated 3,000 MW of new installed capacity.
We still have a long way to go, however, as wind’s potential in the U.S. is huge. Recently, President Bush stated the U.S. could meet 20% of our electricity needs with wind energy. Currently, wind only accounts for a small fraction of the U.S. electricity grid.
According to AWEA, California is still the state with the most wind power installed, with 2,150 MW, but Texas is gaining fast with 1,995 MW installed and more proposed for 2006. Iowa remains in third place with 836 MW installed. Minnesota is in fourth with 744 MW, and Oklahoma moves into fifth place with 475 MW.
Other estimates prove an even sunnier forecast for how Wind Energy can reduce our dependence on foreign sources and power the USA..Good wind areas, which cover 6% of the contiguous U.S. land area, have the potential to supply more than one and a half times the current electricity consumption of the United States.
Estimates of the wind resource are expressed in wind power classes ranging from class 1 to class 7, with each class representing a range of mean wind power density or equivalent mean speed at specified heights above the ground. Areas designated class 4 or greater are suitable with advanced wind turbine technology under development today. Power class 3 areas may be suitable for future technology. Class 2 areas are marginal and class 1 areas are unsuitable for wind energy development.
There are a number of excellent resources you can use to help determine if your live in an area where commercial wind production is likely.In addition to the map shown above, you can visit a map for each state in America by visiting the US Department of Energy’s website.There you can find maps developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL):www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/wind_maps.asp
Below you’ll find a sample of one of these wind maps for the state of Wyoming:
