How much wind energy does it take to power an average home?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average U.S. home uses 867 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month. The mean turbine capacity in the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) is 1.67 megawatts (MW). At a 33% capacity factor, that average turbine would generate over 402,000 kWh per month - enough for over 460 average U.S. homes. To put it another way, the average wind turbine generates enough energy in 94 minutes to power an average U.S. home for one month.
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U.S. Geological Survey energy and wildlife research annual report for 2018
USGS scientists provide scientific information and options that land and resource managers and private industries can use to make decisions regarding the development of energy resources while protecting the health of ecosystems. Studies focus on delivering information to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the impacts of energy infrastructure on fish and...
Khalil, Mona
Onshore industrial wind turbine locations for the United States
This dataset provides industrial-scale onshore wind turbine locations in the United States, corresponding facility information, and turbine technical specifications. The database has wind turbine records that have been collected, digitized, locationally verified, and internally quality controlled. Turbines from the Federal Aviation Administration...
Diffendorfer, Jay E.; Compton, Roger; Kramer, Louisa; Ancona, Zach; Norton, Donna
Prioritizing avian species for their risk of population-level consequences from wind energy development
Recent growth in the wind energy industry has increased concerns about its impacts on wildlife populations. Direct impacts of wind energy include bird and bat collisions with turbines whereas indirect impacts include changes in wildlife habitat and behavior. Although many species may withstand these effects, species that are long-lived with low...
Beston, Julie A.; Diffendorfer, James E.; Loss, Scott; Johnson, Douglas H.
Mapping the Nation's Wind Turbines
There are more than 57,000 wind turbines across the United States, and a new tool allows you to get up close and personal with each one!
U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Energy Release Online Public Dataset and Viewer of U.S. Wind Turbine Locations and Characteristics
Today, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the American Wind Energy Association, released the United States Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) and the USWTDB Viewer to access this new public dataset.
Raptor Interactions with Wind Energy: Case Studies from Around the World
Attempts to measure and mitigate the effects of wind turbines on wildlife have been an integral part of wind energy development.
A Deadly Double Punch: Together, Turbines and Disease Jeopardize Endangered Bats
Wind turbine towering over trees
A wind turbine rising above Oʻahu trees forms part of a wind energy installation where USGS bat research is taking place.
Wind turbines at the Altamont Pass Wind Farm
The Altamont Pass Wind Far is located in northern California.
Data collection at wind energy facility
A field scientist collecting fatality data at a wind energy facility.
Sandhill Cranes Near Wind Turbines
Sandhill Cranes fly in close proximity to wind turbines near Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in east-central Wisconsin, but to date no crane mortality has been associated with turbines in this area.
Wind turbines on a midwest farm
Wind turbines and corn crops on a midwest farm.
Wind turbine on farm land next to a dilapidated barn
Wind turbine next to a dilapidated barn
Wind Turbine Blade
This photo shows one of the three 135-ft blades of a turbine before installation. Although the blades of wind turbines appear to move quite slowly to the human eye, blade tips often move at speeds faster than 100 mph.