A wind turbine rising above Oʻahu trees forms part of a wind energy installation where USGS bat research is taking place.
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 stages of development. If and when those projects are constructed, the turbines will appear in the USWTDB.
Related Content
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 of economic benefits to the country’s agricultural...
How many turbines are contained in the U.S. Wind Turbine Database?
As of January 2022, the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) contains more than 70,800 turbines. These turbines have all been constructed since 1980 in approximately 1,500 wind power projects spanning at least 44 states (plus Puerto Rico and Guam). Learn more: Wind Energy
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. Learn more: Wind Energy
How many wind turbines are installed in the U.S. each year?
The number of turbines installed in the U.S. each year varies based on a number of factors, but on average 3,000 turbines have been built in the U.S. each year since 2005. Learn more: Wind Energy U.S. Wind Turbine Database
How many homes can an average wind turbine power?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration , the average U.S. home uses 893 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month. Per the U.S. Wind Turbine Database , the mean capacity of wind turbines that achieved commercial operations in 2020 is 2.75 megawatts (MW). At a 42% capacity factor (i.e., the average among recently built wind turbines in the United States, per the 2021 edition of...
A wind turbine rising above Oʻahu trees forms part of a wind energy installation where USGS bat research is taking place.
The Altamont Pass Wind Far is located in northern California.
The Altamont Pass Wind Far is located in northern California.
Wind turbine next to a dilapidated barn
Wind turbine next to a dilapidated barn
Two wind turbines from side on clear day.
Two wind turbines from side on clear day.
U.S. Geological Survey energy and wildlife research annual report for 2018
Onshore industrial wind turbine locations for the United States
Related Content
- FAQ
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 of economic benefits to the country’s agricultural...
How many turbines are contained in the U.S. Wind Turbine Database?
As of January 2022, the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) contains more than 70,800 turbines. These turbines have all been constructed since 1980 in approximately 1,500 wind power projects spanning at least 44 states (plus Puerto Rico and Guam). Learn more: Wind Energy
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. Learn more: Wind Energy
How many wind turbines are installed in the U.S. each year?
The number of turbines installed in the U.S. each year varies based on a number of factors, but on average 3,000 turbines have been built in the U.S. each year since 2005. Learn more: Wind Energy U.S. Wind Turbine Database
How many homes can an average wind turbine power?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration , the average U.S. home uses 893 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month. Per the U.S. Wind Turbine Database , the mean capacity of wind turbines that achieved commercial operations in 2020 is 2.75 megawatts (MW). At a 42% capacity factor (i.e., the average among recently built wind turbines in the United States, per the 2021 edition of...
- Multimedia
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.
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 FarmThe Altamont Pass Wind Far is located in northern California.
The Altamont Pass Wind Far is located in northern California.
Wind turbine on farm land next to a dilapidated barnWind turbine on farm land next to a dilapidated barnWind turbine next to a dilapidated barn
Wind turbine next to a dilapidated barn
Wind Turbine and ForestTwo wind turbines from side on clear day.
Two wind turbines from side on clear day.
- Publications
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 wildlife. USGS scientists are currently developingOnshore 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 Digital Obstacles File, through product release datAuthorsJay E. Diffendorfer, Roger Compton, Louisa Kramer, Zach Ancona, Donna Norton - News