Spinning up wind power
Learning objective:
To be able to use GIS to investigate potential issues related to development of wind power.
To start, follow this link: [Link]
You will then need to follow this link ([Link] to an MS Form, upon which you need
to answer all of the questions below. This activity explores potential and developed wind capacity by state as well as
challenges that Texas has faced to develop wind power.
In the Details pane, click the button, Show Map Legend. The map shows typical winds across the U.S.
1. What are the typical wind conditions in the U.S.?
Click the legend to see wind-speed scale. The direction is indicated by the arrow.
2. Where is the wind speed the highest?
3. What direction is it blowing?
4. What is the local wind speed and wind direction at zip code 75088?
Click the checkbox to the left of the layer Wind Capacity.
5. Where is the highest potential capacity for wind power?
6. What states have the highest potential for wind power based on average wind speeds and suitable land
available (Click the markers on the map to view details of various states)?
Hover the mouse over the layer name, Wind Capacity. Click the button, Show Table. In the table, click the column
header for Installed Wind Power in 1999. Sort descending. In the table, click the column header for Installed Wind
Power in 2015. Also sort descending
7. Which state has shown the greatest increase?
8. Why does Texas have the greatest wind-power capacity?
9. What factors determine wind-power capacity?
Turn on the Texas Wind Farm layer.
10. Based on the placement of the wind turbines, where is the average wind speed the highest?
11. What is the power from an average wind speed of 8 mph and 10 mph?
Turn on the layer, Map Notes.
Zoom in to Georgetown, TX. Click the pop-up to read about the city’s power plans for 2017.
12. How many wind turbines will Georgetown need to supply 50 percent of their power needs (Zoom in and click
individual wind turbines for detailed energy generation information)?
13. City planners cite cost savings for their choice, but what are other ways that the city could benefit?
14. Where are the highest power demands?
Click the button, Measure. Choose the Distance button and set units to miles.
15. How far is it from a wind farm (group of linked turbines) to a large city (Dallas or Austin)?
Turn on the CREZ layer. In 2005, Texas created renewable-energy zones and installed large
transmission lines to carry future wind and solar power to urban areas.
16. What patterns do you notice (Zoom in on wind turbines for site details)?
Ext. task: Explore the story map by NOAA, Understanding Ocean Wind Energy, at [Link]
