Windy Monday generating plenty of wind power in Minnesota
Favorable weather for wind and solar power generation in the Upper Midwest
It’s a windy Monday across Minnesota.
South to west winds between about 15 and 30 mph are blowing across the state Monday.
The gusty winds may be messing up your hair, but it’s also producing a lot of wind-generated electric power across Minnesota.
According to this analysis by Climate Central, today’s strong winds in Minnesota are generating more than enough electric power for all homes in Minnesota:
Create a More Connected Minnesota
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Here’s a closer look at the meanings and methodology behind this graphic above via Climate Central.
What do these values mean?
Electricity Generated (Megawatt-hours) - Approximate electricity generated. One megawatt-hour powers roughly 33 homes for a day.
Equivalent Homes Powered - Electricity generated divided by the number of homes in the area, assuming average daily electricity usage.
Home Energy Savings - Percentage of daily electricity cost saved by an average household with an average-sized solar array on its roof versus using power only from the grid.
Solar Power Index (0 to 10) - Daily solar power potential scaled to a maximum of 10. Maximum value corresponds to clear sky with average atmospheric conditions (aerosols and water vapor content) on the date.
Wind Power Index (0 to 10) - Daily wind power potential scaled to a maximum of 10. Maximum value occurs when all turbines in the geographic area during the entire forecast period operate at rated capacity. A typical wind turbine operates at rated capacity at wind speeds above about 30 mph and shuts down at wind speeds of about 55 mph.
Time Periods
- Yesterday: Most recent 24 hours of observed (HRRR) data available to this wind/solar tool, 04:00 - 04:00 GMT
- Today and Tomorrow: 24-hour periods starting from 12:00 GMT (GFS)
Wind power projects in the Upper Midwest
This map shows the large-scale wind projects already built and under development in the Upper Midwest.
Here’s an interesting time lapse video of a wind power facility being built. Construction companies generate thousands of jobs and profits through big projects like this.
When you feel that wind today, think about how it’s being harvested power your lights when you flipped that light switch. And it’s carbon-free energy.