What materials are used to make wind turbines?
According to a report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, wind turbines are predominantly made of steel (71-79% of total turbine mass); fiberglass, resin or plastic (11-16%); iron or cast iron (5- 17%); copper (1%); and aluminum (0-2%).
Many turbine components are domestically sourced and manufactured in the United States (Wind Technologies Market Report). Wind turbine towers are 65-85% domestically sourced, blade and hub components are 40-70% domestic, and nacelle assemblies are over 90% domestically sourced. However, many internal parts such as pitch and yaw systems, bearings, bolts, and controllers are typically imported.
Learn more: Wind Energy
Related Content
Can wind turbines harm wildlife?
How many wind turbines are installed in the U.S. each year?
Is there an international wind turbine database available?
How are wind turbine data collected?
How often is the U.S. Wind Turbine Database updated?
Why is it important to know the locations of wind turbines?
U.S. Geological Survey energy and wildlife research annual report for 2019
Access to affordable and reliable energy remains a critical need for people and the economy. To satisfy society’s demand for energy, the United States is expanding access to vast natural resources to produce electricity as well as petroleum and natural gas products. Development of our Nation’s energy resources, however, often conflicts directly...
Khalil, Mona
A Methodology to Assess the National and Regional Impacts of U.S. Wind Energy Development on Birds and Bats
This scientific investigations report describes an effort by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that used research, monitoring data, and modeling to develop a methodology to assess both the current and future population-level consequences of wind energy development on species of birds and bats that are present in the United States during any part...
Diffendorfer, James E.; Beston, J.A.; Merrill, Matthew D.; Stanton, J.C.; Corum, M.D.; Loss, S.R.; Thogmartin, W.E.; Johnson, D.H.; Erickson, R.A.; Heist, K.W.
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
Minor metals and renewable energy—Diversifying America’s energy sources
Solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbine technologies are projected to make up an increasing proportion of electricity generation capacity in the United States in the coming decades. By 2050, they will account for 36 percent (or 566 gigawatts) of capacity compared with about 11 percent (or 118 gigawatts) in 2016 (fig. 1; EIA, 2017). There are...
Singerling, Sheryl A.; Nassar, Nedal T.
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
Wind energy in the United States and materials required for the land-based wind turbine industry from 2010 through 2030
The generation of electricity in the United States from wind-powered turbines is increasing. An understanding of the sources and abundance of raw materials required by the wind turbine industry and the many uses for these materials is necessary to assess the effect of this industry's growth on future demand for selected raw materials relative to...
Wilburn, David R.
New USGS Analysis of Wind Turbine Upgrades Shows No Impact on Wildlife Mortality
CORVALLIS, ORE. – Reduction in wildlife mortality rates is sometimes cited as a potential benefit to the replacement of older, smaller turbines by larger, next generation turbines. In contrast, others have expressed concern that newer, larger turbines may actually increase bird and bat deaths.
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.
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.
U.S. Wind Turbine Database animation of viewer.
Animation of U.S. Wind Turbine Database viewer.
Wind Turbines and Rainbow
Tall wind turbines in a semi-arid shrubland with a bright rainbow
PubTalk 7/2012 — Wind Energy and Wildlife
-- the challenges of wind-energy development and wildlife conservation
by Manuela Huso, Research Statistician
- Wind-power development in the United States is increasing exponentially, with proposals to provide 20% of the country's total power by 2030.
- High numbers of bird and bat carcasses at some wind farms
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.
Wind turbines above San Gorgonio Pass, Calif.
Wind turbines above San Gorgonio Pass, Calif.