Wind energy uses turbines to convert wind energy into electricity. People have used this technology for centuries to power small applications, but technology has recently allowed wind energy to be used for large-scale electricity generation.
According to the EIA, producing electricity from wind requires sustained winds of 14 miles per hour. In the United States, the few inland areas that meet such a threshold include the region from north Texas through the Great Plains.
Offshore wind is also a possibility, although a number of obstacles exist, including hurricane hazards, animal habitats and migratory flight paths, natural reefs, and varying ocean floor conditions.
Currently, all of the world’s offshore wind farms are within 15 miles of the coast.
Capacity Factor: 44%
(Class 6 = the strongest wind classification)
Source: EIA
