Revealing the Onshore Potential: A Socio-Technical Wind Atlas for the United States

Presentation Description: The objective of this project is to expedite the wind farm siting process through the creation of a high resolution, country-wide atlas, which is the first of its kind. The atlas includes both social and technical considerations for wind energy development and identifies the constraints and opportunities in the United States based on a realistic calculation of onshore wind potential. Using Geographical Information System (GIS)-based maps, we develop a detailed atlas that thoroughly accounts for exclusions such as wind resources, restrictions (including social, environmental, and technical characteristics that can impede wind projects), regulations (including distance requirements to infrastructure, buildings, military land, and protected areas), and wind turbine information (dimensions, footprint, and energy output of modern wind turbines). With the resulting atlas, we determine the maximum available land for developing wind energy in the U.S., the total wind energy potential, and an indication of how that potential compares with what is needed to power each state with wind’s share of a 100% clean, renewable energy system for all energy purposes in 2050. We also develop a 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 selection. Results from this study will inform wind farm developers, policymakers, research scientists, utilities, and the general public. This will help states, cities, and energy planners make more informed decisions regarding the numbers, locations, and physical sizes of wind farms needed for wind to supply a substantial portion of the country’s all-purpose, end-use power demand.