Windiness area in the USA?

Question

can we put a windmill there and make energy?

Answer 1

I have heard that North Dakota would be a perfect place for that.  Although the wind only blows 1/2 the time, the other half, it sucks  :-)

Answer 2

I know they can't work in very high wind areas.  So you need a location with a steady light and consistent wind.

Answer 3

There is no need to put windmills in wilderness areas.

The two best wind generating regions of the US are the northern great plains and part of the central great plains.

These could be placed on farm land and the farmers can still grow crops and raise cattle around them.

This would help the farmers and help solve our energy problems.

The problem is that there are not enough power lines on these areas.

Answer 4

Hi,

You can get a pretty fair idea how any given area in the US will do for wind generation here:

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Win...

Just have a look at the "Got Wind" entry.  It will tell you exactly how to check your area for wind potential.

Your average wind speed is very important, because the energy a wind turbine produces goes up as the third power of wind, so a 12 mph average wind isn't 20% better than a 10mph wind, its (1.2)^3 = 1.73 or 73% better!

I'd also have a look at the Wind Basics on the same page to get a good idea what's involved.

Gary

Answer 5

We have a lot of windmills here in CA - along the 580 corridor.