Wind Supply Curves
NREL has developed an interactive map and geospatial data showing wind supply curves, which characterize the quantity and quality of land-based and offshore wind resources.
Interactive Map
Interactive map of the United States showing wind supply curves. Reference Siting—ATB Moderate for 2030 indicates a capacity range of 0.02 MW–398 MW, with an average of 137 MW. Capacity, mean wind speed, and mean capacity factor are all taken into consideration when determining the quantity and quality of land-based and offshore wind resources. For assistance with this map, please contact the webmaster.
Note: Please view the interactive map from a desktop computer to access it. It is not visible on mobile devices.
Geospatial Data
Wind supply curve data are provided in .csv format and include latitude, longitude, available area, capacity potential, generation potential, generator capacity factor, and distance to interconnect.
The Open Access supply curve data only applies land area exclusions based on physical constraints (e.g., wetlands, building footprints) or for protected lands.
The Reference Access supply curve data applies a wider range of exclusions and is used by default in NREL’s capacity expansion modeling.
The Limited Access supply curve data applies the most restrictive land area exclusions, capturing potential increased setback requirements and difficulties deploying on federally managed lands.
2023 Release Year
The associated report for the 2023 release year is 2021 Standard Scenarios Report: A U.S. Electricity Sector Outlook, NREL Technical Report (2021) .
| Siting Regime | Annual Technology Baseline Scenario | Data Link |
|---|---|---|
| Open Access | Moderate | Open Access Land-Based Wind 2023 Data |
| Reference Access | Moderate | Reference Access Land-Based Wind 2023 Data |
| Limited Access | Moderate | Limited Access Land-Based Wind 2023 Data |
2021 Release Year
The associated report for the 2021 release year is 2021 Standard Scenarios Report: A U.S. Electricity Sector Outlook, NREL Technical Report (2021) .
| Siting Regime | Annual Technology Baseline Scenario | Data Link |
|---|---|---|
| Open Access | Moderate | Open Access Land-Based Wind 2021 Data |
| Reference Access | Moderate | Reference Access Land-Based Wind 2021 Data |
| Limited Access | Moderate | Limited Access Land-Based Wind 2021 Data |
| Siting Regime | Annual Technology Baseline Scenario | Data Link |
|---|---|---|
| Open Access | Moderate | Open Access Offshore Wind 2021 Data |
| Limited Access | Moderate | Limited Access Offshore Wind 2021 Data |
2020 Release Year
The associated report for the 2020 release year is Land Use and Turbine Technology Influences on Wind Potential in the United States, Energy (2021).
| Siting Regime | Annual Technology Baseline Scenario | Data Link |
|---|---|---|
| Open Access | Moderate | Open Access Land-Based Wind 2020 Data |
| Reference Access | Moderate | Reference Access Land-Based Wind 2020 Data |
| Limited Access | Moderate | Limited Access Land-Based Wind 2020 Data |
Wind Energy Siting Regulation and Zoning Ordinances
NREL wind energy supply curves integrate local ordinances and zoning laws that influence how and where wind power plants can be sited and deployed with respect to wind resources. This information is now available via a centralized, machine-readable database of wind siting ordinances throughout the United States at the state, county, township, and city levels.
These include setbacks—or minimum distance requirements—for property lines, buildings, roads, railroads, electric transmission lines, and bodies of water as well as noise limitations, height restrictions, shadow flicker limits, and wind energy moratoriums. The interactive map below illustrates this data by ordinance type and includes currently installed wind turbine locations for reference.
Interactive map of the United States showing wind ordinances, including moratorium or banned locations, building setbacks, road setbacks, property line setbacks, railroad setbacks, noise limits, transmission setbacks, height restrictions, water setbacks, shadow flicker limits, other ordinances, and statewide ordinances. For assistance with this map, please contact the webmaster.
Note: Please view the interactive map from a desktop computer to access it. It is not visible on mobile devices.
The data were compiled from several sources, including the U.S. Department of Energy's WINDxchange ordinances database, the National Conference of State and Legislatures Wind Energy Siting page, scholarly legal articles, and manual searches. Where applicable, the citations for each ordinance are included in the database spreadsheet.
Visualizations
The visualization below shows land-based wind deployment with flashing lights on the map over time from 2010-2020 as modeled using the Reference Access supply curve and the Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) model. See more deployment scenarios on the NREL Learning YouTube channel.
Publications
Land Use and Turbine Technology Influences on Wind Potential in the United States, Energy (2021)
Interactions of Wind Energy Project Siting, Wind Resource Potential, and the Evolution of the U.S. Power System, Energy (2021)
2021 Standard Scenarios Report: A U.S. Electricity Sector Outlook, NREL Technical Report (2021)
The Renewable Energy Potential (reV) Model: A Geospatial Platform for Technical Potential and Supply Curve Modeling, NREL Technical Report (2021)
U.S. Renewable Energy Technical Potentials: A GIS-Based Analysis, NREL Technical Report (2012)
In the News
Why Small Towns Are Fighting Renewable Energy Development, Wall Street Journal (2021)
Where Wind and Solar Power Need To Grow for America to Meet Its Goals, New York Times (2021)
Inside Clean Energy: Where Can We Put All Those Wind Turbines?, Inside Climate News (2021)
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Last Updated Dec. 9, 2024