New atlas could benefit wind energy in the future

September 14, 2015 0 By Stephen Vagus

Researchers develop new wind atlas for the Great Lakes region

Researchers from Cornell University and the Technical University of Denmark have compiled the first observational wind atlas of the Great Lakes region in North America. The data was gathered using weather stations, buoys, and information from NASA satellites and provides a high definition look at the wind currents in the region. The atlas may be a major benefit for wind energy n the Great Lakes area, which is becoming more popular, especially in the United States.

Atlas will provide energy developers with valuable data that could have an impact on their projects

The Great Lakes Wind Atlas may go a long way in helping the development of the wind energy market in the Great Lakes region. The region is home to a great deal of potential when it comes to wind power, largely due to the wind currents that exist therein. The open bodies of water in the region are particularly promising for offshore projects, which have the potential to generate more electrical power than onshore projects located in the region. This is because offshore projects can benefit from uninhibited wind currents.

US is home to a great deal of wind energy potential

Great Lakes - Wind EnergyEarlier this year, the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation noted the powerful potential of offshore projects. The organization highlighted the fact that the U.S. has some 4,223 gigawatts of offshore wind energy potential, with 50 gigawatts of this potential coming from Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, alone. Floating wind turbines could be the best way to take advantage of this energy potential, but relatively few projects have been realized in the region.

Offshore energy projects are gaining momentum

Offshore wind energy is gaining more attention in the U.S., where clean power has begun to receive strong financial support. Offshore projects are quite expensive, however, and the development tools needed to plan such projects are somewhat lacking. The new Great Lakes Wind Atlas is expected to provide developers with a wealth of information that could benefit their projects in the future.

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