Wind Resource Assessments
Iowa Energy Center
The Iowa Energy Center is a non-profit organization working to create a stable energy future for Iowa.
Their web site includes wind and solar resource maps for Iowa, as well as loan and tax incentive information.
Wind Shear
A term and calculation used to describe how wind speed increases with height above the surface of the earth. The degree of wind shear is a factor of the complexity of the terrain as well as the actual heights measured. Wind shear increases as friction between the wind and the ground becomes greater. Wind shear is not a measure of the wind speed at a site.
Wind Power Class
A way of quantifying on a scale the strength of the wind at a project site. The Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory defines the wind class at a site on a scale from 1 to 7 (1 being low and 7 being high) based on average wind speed and power density to offer guidance to potential developers as to where wind projects might be feasible.
Meteorological Tower ("Met Tower")
A tower used at a potential project site which has equipment attached to it which is designed to assess wind resource. Generally a met tower will have anemometers, wind direction vanes, temperature and pressure sensors, and other measurement devices attached to it at various levels above the ground.
Anemometry Equipment
The set of meteorological measuring and logging devices used to collect wind data for a wind resource assessment study. Equipment set typically includes: tower, anemometer, wind vane, temperature sensors, heating device, and data logger
Anemometer
A device used to measure wind velocity as part of a wind resource assessment study. Cup anemometers are the standard type used today, with 3 cups spinning on a vertical axis. The anemometer typically is installed on a guyed tilt-up tower at the anticipated location and height of the potential wind turbine.
How do I measure the wind resource on my land?
Wind assessment takes place at a number of different levels: consulting a wind map, obtaining previously measured data, and taking your own measurements. The cheapest and easiest way to assess your resource is to consult a wind map. Wind resource maps of your state are available at Wind Powering America
