Using GIS to Determine Wind Energy Potential in Minnesota, USA

Wind power is an alternative to fossil fuels. It is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation and uses relatively little land. Recent studies indicate that Minnesota has plentiful wind energy potential including the possibility to use wind to generate 25 times the electricity Minnesota used in 2010 (American Wind Energy Association, 2012a). This study evaluates the potential wind energy resources in Minnesota by analyzing technical, environmental, and political criteria for developing local renewable wind energy resources. The approach assesses suitable locations for exploring wind turbines energy sources with the aid of a geographic information system. The study considers local wind conditions and other restrictions such as terrain, land use, environment, and human activities. The model identifies areas that have an excellent suitability for future wind turbine placement in Minnesota. When it compares to the approximate estimations based solely on analysis of wind speed, this rule-based model may provide a more accurate method to evaluate wind energy in Minnesota.