The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal

Illinois Wind Maps This map of Illinois shows the wind resource at all levels. (click to enlarge) This map of Illinois highlights the best areas suitable for utility-scale wind energy development. (click to enlarge) New wind resource maps of Illinois have been produced by the Department of Energy's Wind Program and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The new information shows that Illinois has at least 3000 MW more in potential wind capacity from "good" wind resource areas than earlier estimated.[1] In addition, the maps show scattered areas of good wind resource (class 4, or 15.7 - 16.8 mph) in central and northern Illinois. The new Illinois wind maps can serve as prospector's maps for wind developers. At least 5 prime wind zones are identified (SE of Quincy, Bloomington area, north of Peoria, Mattoon area, and between Sterling and Aurora), as well as other potential sites, especially in northern Illinois. This new information is presented in two formats. Both formats show the wind resource, using NREL's standard wind power classification system, in relation to transmission lines and major cities. Version 1 shows the wind resource at all levels throughout the state, and Version 2 highlights the best areas suitable for utility-scale wind energy development. The wind potential from these windy lands is about 3000 MW of installed wind generation capacity. In a class 4 wind regime, the annual average output of a wind power plant is typically about 25% of the installed capacity. The class 4 areas represent about 0.4% of Illinois' land and are largely rural agricultural areas. Because of likely advances in technology and the significant incentives available in Illinois, a number of additional areas with only slightly lower wind resource (class 3+, or 14.3 - 15.7 mph) may also be suitable for wind development. These class 3+ areas highlighted on the map of best areas represent an additional 6000 MW of wind potential. The total amount of class 4 and 3+ lands combined is about 1800 square kilometers (1.2% of Illinois' land area), and the wind potential from these areas is about 9000 MW. Each square kilometer may support about 5 MW of installed wind capacity. All urban and environmentally-sensitive lands (state parks, wildlife refuges, etc) have been excluded in estimating the wind potential. [1] According to the previous information for Illinois (the 1987 Wind Energy Resource Atlas of the United States and the 1991 report An Assessment of the Available Windy Land Area and Wind Energy Potential in the Contiguous United States ), Illinois had essentially zero potential in class 4 and above wind areas. The new information shows that Illinois has at least 3000 MW more in potential wind capacity from "good" wind resource areas than earlier estimated. If you have difficulty accessing NREL wind maps on this site because of a disability, please contact us in writing or via telephone and we will work with you to make the information available. Contact: Julie Cardinal, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, Phone: 303-384-7019. Printable Version