Energy

Is there an international wind turbine database available?

No. To our knowledge, the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) is unique. Other datasets might be available from other countries on an ad hoc basis, but we are not aware of any central repository of those data. For general information and statistics on international wind projects, see thewindpower.net.

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Image: Sandhill Cranes Near Wind Turbines

Can wind turbines harm wildlife?

A key challenge facing the wind industry is the potential for turbines to adversely affect wild animals both directly, via collisions, as well as indirectly due to noise pollution, habitat loss, and reduced survival or reproduction. Among the most impacted wildlife are birds and bats, which by eating destructive insects provide billions of dollars...

Block Island Wind Farm

Why aren't there more offshore turbines in the U.S. Wind Turbine Database?

The U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) includes all utility-scale turbines that have been installed in the United States. As of January 2019, only one offshore wind farm has been constructed in the U.S. - the Block Island Wind Farm off Rhode Island. However, according to the Department of Energy , several other offshore projects are in advanced...

Image: Wind Turbine Blade

Where can I find wind turbines that are permitted but not built?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains a database of proposed turbines that they are evaluating as potential obstructions to airspace. However, an FAA determination of “non-hazard” is just one step of many in the permitting process, and many turbines evaluated by the FAA are never built. Learn more: U.S. Wind Turbine Database

Wind turbines on a midwest farm

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...

How often is the U.S. Wind Turbine Database updated?

The U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) is updated every three months [or four times a year] and contains turbines that were installed as recently as 3 months preceding the update.

Tall wind turbines in a semi-arid shrubland with a bright rainbow

How many turbines are contained in the U.S. Wind Turbine Database?

As of January 2019, the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) contains more than 58,000 turbines. These turbines have all been constructed since 1980 in approximately 1,500 wind power projects spanning at least 43 states (plus Puerto Rico and Guam).

Wheat field wind turbines in Wyoming.

Why is it important to know the locations of wind turbines?

No publicly-available, national database of wind turbines existed prior to the creation of the USGS Windfarm mapper, which was replaced with the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) in 2018. Knowing the location of individual turbines and their technical specifications creates new opportunities for research and improved siting and is important...

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Image: Wind energy

Date published: May 16, 2018

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!

Attribution: Energy and Minerals, Energy & Wildlife, Energy Resources Program, Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian, Eastern Energy Resources Science Center

Date published: April 19, 2018

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.

Attribution: Energy and Minerals, Energy Resources Program, Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian, Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin, Eastern Energy Resources Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Date published: January 10, 2017

Advancing Wind Energy and Avoiding Wildlife Conflicts

Our Nation works to advance renewable energy and to avoid conflicts with and conserve wildlife.

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Image of Altamont Pass Wind Farm.

September 20, 2016

Altamont Pass Wind Farm

Altamont Pass Wind Farm in California.

Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

August 29, 2016

Wind Farm

Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

wind turbines on O'ahu, Hawai'i

May 5, 2016

wind turbines on O'ahu, Hawai'i

Attribution: Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

April 8, 2016

Wind turbines

Attribution: Ecosystems

December 31, 2012

Power County Wind Farm

Power County Wind Farm

Attribution: Energy Resources Program

Image: Wind Turbine Blade

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.

Attribution: Energy and Minerals

Wind turbines above San Gorgonio Pass, Calif.

Wind turbines above San Gorgonio Pass, Calif.

Wind turbines above San Gorgonio Pass, Calif.

Attribution: Ecosystems, Energy & Wildlife