Revealing the Real Onshore Potential: A Socio-Technical Wind Atlas for
the U.S.
Abstract
For the first time, we have developed a wind atlas to determine the
onshore wind power potential of each U.S. state. Previously,
Geographical Information System (GIS)-based wind atlases have been
developed that include multiple parameters for identifying sites
suitable for wind energy development. Such atlases contain data and
exclusions for houses, roads, and protected areas. They also include
restrictions for sensitive military and political land areas, terrain
not suitable for wind power generation, national parks, and nature
preserves. However, such atlases have yet to be developed for the U.S.
or its individual states. The purpose of this study is to create a wind
atlas to calculate the onshore wind power potential of each U.S. state,
accounting thoroughly for exclusions. We also develop a GIS portal that
can be used by stakeholders in the wind industry to plan future wind
project developments and to reduce the uncertainty and risks in the
early stage of site hunting. To accomplish these goals, we use Envision
Energy’s EnScope wind atlas tool. The tool accounts for Wind Resources
Restrictions (social, environmental, and technical characteristics that
can delay, impede, or stop wind power projects) Regulations (national
and regional distance requirements to infrastructure, buildings, and
protected areas) Wind Turbine Information (dimensions, footprint, and
energy output of a modern onshore wind turbine) With the resulting
atlas, we determine the maximum available land for developing wind
energy in the U.S., the total wind energy potential in the U.S., and an
indication of how that potential compares with what is needed to power
the entire U.S. with wind’s share of a 100% clean, renewable energy
system for all energy purposes in 2050.