Which regions favor wind power generation?

We identified regions with high power densities, low seasonal variability, and limited weather fluctuations that favor wind power generation, such as the American Midwest, Australia, the Sahara, Argentina, Central Asia, and Southern Africa.

Can historical weather data help design reliable wind-reliant electricity systems?

We found little evidence for strong trends in wind droughts over recent decades in most places. Rather, the most severe wind droughts in many places occurred before wind power substantially penetrated power systems, which suggests that historical weather data can be useful in designing reliable wind-reliant electricity systems.

How can climate modelling improve wind energy production?

The evolution of climate modelling to increasingly address mesoscale processes is providing improved projections of both wind resources and wind turbine operating conditions, and will contribute to continued reductions in the levelized cost of energy from wind power generation.

Do mountain waves affect wind power?

The NREL -led study, found that the mountain waves caused large upward and downward surges in power generation from the wind farm. This finding underscores the necessity of accounting for mountain wave impacts in wind power forecasting operations and when choosing wind farm locations and layouts downwind of mountains.

What are seasonal wind capacity factors?

Because seasonal wind patterns vary by location, seasonal capacity factor patterns also vary across regions. Capacity factors for most regions of the country rise or are flat January through April, fall through August or September, and increase through the remainder of the year.

Why do wind plant capacity factors vary across regions?

In general, wind plant capacity factors tend to be higher during windier periods of the year. Because seasonal wind patterns vary by location, seasonal capacity factor patterns also vary across regions.