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Virginia Renewables - Wind Energy

Historically, wind energy has been used for purposes as varied as pumping water, land and water transportation, and electrical generation. Today, the predominant commercial use of wind energy in the US is electricity generation.

Availability of wind energy varies markedly from place to place. Wind energy is most feasible, economically, in locations where steady breezes are available. In Virginia, favorable wind locations are located in the western mountains, close to the ridge tops, and along the Atlantic coast.

The principle of operation for a wind-energy generating device is simple and straightforward: The force of wind against the blades turns a turbine, which generates electricity for the user. Information on wind energy generation technologies is available from the US Department of Energy at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/

Although the wind blows freely in several Virginia locations, no commercial wind-energy generators operate within the state.

Maps

Virginia Wind Energy Availability (NREL)

US Wind Resource (NREL)

Source:

U.S. Department of Energy, State Wind Activities.

Potential for Wind Development

Region	Area Exposed to Wind (square kilometers)	Potential Power Output at a 50-Meter Hub Height (Megawatts)
Contiguous U.S. Total	625,488	734,073
Virginia	652	706

Notes:

Potential generating capability is presented in average megawatts per square kilometer. Capacity denoted in average megawatts should not be confused with nameplate capacity in megawatts. The nameplate capacity rating represents peak output at the rated wind speed, while average megawatts is the normalized actual power production (average megawatts multiplied by 8,760 hours per year results in the annual energy production in kilowatthours per year).

Moderate land use and environmental restrictions, within 10 Miles of transmission has been assumed.

Source:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Wind Resources Accessible to Transmission Lines (August 5, 1994). Published in Renewable Energy Annual 1995.

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