New wind capacity study stokes optimism

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A new analysis by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory finds that the U.S. capacity for wind power is significantly greater than early estimates predicted.

The eye-popping headline of the study is that onshore U.S. wind resources could generate nearly 37,000,000 gigawatt-hours annually — more than nine times current total U.S. electricity consumption.

While Oregon did not make the list of the top 10 windiest states, it did debut in the top 20 for the first time. Details on Oregon's wind capacity are available the report website.

According to the American Wind Energy Assocition, the U.S. wind industry added nearly 10,000 megawatts of new capacity in 2009, enough to power the equivalent of 2.4 million homes. The wind turbines in place at the end of the year were producing over 35,000 MW, enough to power the equivalent of some 9.7 million homes.

According to the association, Oregon saw the fourth largest jump in 2009 in installed capacity, adding 691 MW in 2009.

Wired Science provides a comprehensive report on the new analysis and the state of wind power in the U.S.