Wind Energy Maps and Data

Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

• Teaching Tips
  Maps could be printed out and students could work in groups assigned to compare different states' wind capacity.
• About the Science
  Areas with annual average wind speeds around 6.5 meters/second and greater, at an 80-m height, are generally considered to have a wind resource suitable for wind development. Using this and related state maps, students can determine where in the U.S. wind energy is a viable resource for electricity generation. Comments from expert scientist: The link provides access to wind resource maps for the continental US and some information on how they were created.
• About the Pedagogy
  Both the U.S. map and individual state maps can be printed. Can be used to discuss electricity transmission. Students can see how different regions stack up in utilizing wind resources.
• Technical Details/Ease of Use
  Very easy to access maps and supporting materials in a variety of ways.