Development and Validation of High-Resolution State 

Wind Resource Maps for the United States

Dennis Elliott and Marc Schwartz

Development and Validation of High-Resolution State 

Wind Resource Maps for the United States

Dennis Elliott and Marc Schwartz

High-Resolution Wind Mapping 

Approach

High-Resolution Wind Mapping 

Approach

• NREL uses an updated wind mapping approach and 

validation process approved by the U.S. Department

of Energy (DOE) and the consulting industry in 2001.

• NREL has been validating wind resource maps 

produced by AWS Truewind using MesoMap

(numerical model) system since 2002.

– Over 30 state maps have been updated using this 

method, many under the Wind Powering America 

initiative and cost-shared by states.

– Maps producing during the past year include 

Indiana, Ohio, Hawaii, Michigan, Missouri, 

and Nebraska.

– Maps in progress include Alaska (specific areas) 

and Arkansas.

• NREL and its consultants validate annual average 

wind speeds and power maps for 50-m height.

• The wind mapping approach produces maps with 

a resolution that is finer than 1 km.

Collaborative Validation Process Collaborative Validation Process

• NREL and expert consultants

– Evaluate preliminary wind maps

– Use own methods and data (including proprietary 

data)

– Provide both quantitative scores via a spread 

sheet and qualitative comments

• AWS Truewind

– Produces preliminary wind maps

– Reviews validation results to improve maps

– Produces final validated maps

Major Data Sets Used in 

Validation

Major Data Sets Used in 

Validation

• Federal, state, and utility wind measurement programs 

– DOE and State Energy Programs

– Utility Wind Interest Group

– Cooperative Networks for Renewable Resource 

Measurement

• Developer wind data

– Kenetech

– Proprietary sources 

• Meteorological station data from the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration, National Climatic 

Data Center 

– Airports and military bases

– Coast guard stations, lighthouses, buoys

• Other wind data

– Highway (State Department of Transportation)

– Forest Service (Remote Automated Weather 

Stations)

– Anemometer loan programs

Sources of Model Error 

Identified During Validation 

Process

Sources of Model Error 

Identified During Validation 

Process

• Surface Roughness Parameterization

– Errors in land cover description

– Imprecise roughness length assignments

• Atmospheric Stability Issues

– Stable boundary layer depth

– Stable atmosphere phenomena, such as 

nocturnal jets and mountain-valley 

circulations

• Model Resolution of Terrain Features

State Mapping and Validation 

Summary

State Mapping and Validation 

Summary

• Wind maps have identified new areas for prospecting 

and have proven valuable to a number of WPA 

stakeholders.

• Success of validation due largely to iterative 

collaborative process among NREL, AWS Truewind, 

and validation team.

• Considerable high-quality data from region and 

validators’ knowledge increased confidence in final 

maps.

• Validation has led to changes in MesoMap system 

and subsequent improvement in model results.

U.S. High-Resolution Wind Resource Assessment Status

2004–2005 Maps

The information contained in this poster is subject to a government license.

Prepared for the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)

WindPower 2005 Conference, 15-18 May 2005, Denver, Colorado

NREL/PO-500-38128