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Renewable Energy: Wind Energy: Resources
- Community-Owned Wind
- Educational Materials—For Teachers and Students
- Especially for Landowners and Rural Communities
- Other Countries
- Research Laboratories
- Technical Reference Materials
- U.S. Government Agencies
- Utah Government
- What's Happening in Utah and Other States
- Wind Energy Associations and Organizations
One of the most crucial pieces of information needed when evaluating the wind energy potential of any given area or site is a reliable scientific assessment of the wind resource. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has created high-resolution wind resource maps for all fifty states. These maps show the predicted mean wind speeds at an 80 meter height.
The Utah Renewable Energy Zone Task Force reports also have detailed wind resource assessments that estimate Utah’s theoretical potential for deriving electric power from wind resources. The UREZ wind zones are based upon wind data collected from 109 anemometer towers stationed throughout the state.
Utah Government
- Model Wind Ordinances, Governor's Office of Planning and Budget
Wind Energy Associations and Organizations
- American Wind Energy Association
Since 1974 the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has advocated the development of wind energy as a reliable, environmentally superior energy alternative in the United States and around the world. Individual memberships are $50/year with AWEA;s monthly newsletter Windletter. - Interwest
Benefits of renewable energy. - National Wind Coordinating Committee
A U.S. consensus-based collaborative formed in 1994, the National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC) identifies issues that affect the use of wind power, establishes dialogue among key stakeholders, and catalyzes appropriate activities to support the development of environmentally, economically, and politically sustainable commercial markets for wind power. - Midwest Renewable Energy Association
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is a nonprofit network for sharing ideas, resources, and information with individuals, businesses, and communities to promote a sustainable future through renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Other Countries
- British Wind Energy Association
- Canadian Wind Energy Association
- Danish Wind Industry Association
- European Wind Energy Association
U.S. Government Agencies
- Energy Information Administration
- Interstate Renewable Energy Council
IREC's mission is to accelerate the sustainable utilization of renewable energy in and through state and local government and community activities. - National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Wind Resource Atlas of the United States and other wind resource links. - U.S. Department of Energy—Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- U.S. Department of Energy—Wind Powering America
Wind Powering America (WPA) is a commitment to dramatically increase the use of wind energy in the United States. This initiative will establish new sources of income for American farmers, Native Americans, and other rural landowners, and meet the growing demand for clean sources of electricity. Part of the Utah Wind Web site was funded by DOE's WPA.
Especially for Landowners and Rural Communities
- Farm Energy
Clean energy and rural economic development. - Northwest Seed
Northwest SEED is building partnerships to mobilize consumers and maximize local benefits from harvesting "home grown" energy resources - wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, low-impact hydro, conservation, and bio-based products—while maintaining reliable electric service and creating new revenue streams and high quality jobs throughout the Pacific Northwest. - Plains Organization for Wind Energy Resources
- Renewable Northwest Project
In 1994, a broad coalition of public-interest organizations and energy companies created the Renewable Northwest Project (RNP) to promote renewable energy development in the region. Since its inception, RNP has been a forceful advocate in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, for basing the region's energy future on clean, renewable resources, such as solar, wind and geothermal. - Windustry
Working to create an understanding of wind energy opportunities for rural economic benefit. Windustry promotes wind energy through outreach, educational materials, and technical assistance to rural landowners, local communities and utilities, and state, regional, and nonprofit collaborations.
What's Happening in Utah and Other States
Southwest Region
Colorado
Idaho
New Mexico
Utah
- Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky Program
Blue Sky is Rocky Mountain Power's renewable wind energy program. For only $1.95 per 100 kWh block you can make your home or business powered by wind. Find out more about small electric generating systems and selling power to a utility company. - Utah Clean Energy
A non-profit, non-partisan public interest organization partnering to build the new clean energy economy through policy, regulatory, and educational initiatives. Utah Clean Energy advances renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean energy technologies in Utah and the West. - Western Business Coalition for New Energy Technologies
Midwest and West
California
Iowa
Kansas
Minnesota
Montana
- Montana Green Power
A guide to renewable energy in Montana. They even have an article about wind power from the Sale Lake Tribune on their site.
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative
To initiate and strengthen opportunities for long-term economic benefits from wind power in the State of Oklahoma.
Texas
- Alternative Wind Energy Institute
- Texas Renewable Energy
- Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association
- Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Community-Owned Wind
In Hull, Massachusetts, the wind turbine is owned by the town. Hull has the good fortune to have a long-standing municipal light department, which serves as the local electric supplier. Your community has several options if there isn't a locally-owned electric utility.
Technical Reference Materials
Research Laboratories
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Environmental Energy Technologies Division)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (National Wind Technology Center)
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Other Countries
- Energy Research Centre (Netherlands)
- German Wind Energy Institute
- Riso National Laboratory (Denmark)
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (United Kingdom)
Educational Materials—For Teachers and Students
- National Energy Education Development
- Wind with Miller (From Denmark; the best site for children)