MadALwx's Wind Data and Research

Data last updated 09/24/11 00:35.

Average Wind Speed (mph)
Date	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
2012	---	---	---	---	1.2*	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	1.2*
2011	1.7	2.9	2.8	2.9	1.7	1.4	0.7	0.8	---	---	---	---	1.8*
2010	3.3	3.8	3.8	3.2	2.8	1.8	1.9	1.7	1.5	2.0	2.1	3.5	2.6
2009	3.0	3.8	4.1	3.2	2.7	1.7	2.1	2.2	1.9	2.9	2.2	4.1	2.8
2008	3.5	3.1	4.5	3.1	2.5	1.9	1.6	1.9	2.5	2.1	1.9	3.8	2.7
Avg	2.9	3.4	3.8	3.1	2.3	1.7	1.6	1.6	2.0	2.3	2.1	3.8	2.5

* denotes incomplete data for the month/year.

Beaufort number	Description	Wind speed
		mph	km/h	kts	m/s
0	Calm	< 1	< 1	< 1	< 0.3
1	Light air	1 – 3	1.1 – 5.5	1 – 2	0.3 – 1.5
2	Light breeze	4 – 7	5.6 – 11	3 – 6	1.6 – 3.4
3	Gentle breeze	8 – 12	12 – 19	7 – 10	3.4 – 5.4
4	Moderate breeze	13 – 17	20 – 28	11 – 15	5.5 – 7.9
5	Fresh breeze	18 – 24	29 – 38	16 – 20	8.0 – 10.7
6	Strong breeze	25 – 30	39 – 49	21 – 26	10.8 – 13.8
7	High wind, Moderate gale, Near gale	31 – 38	50 – 61	27 – 33	13.9 – 17.1
8	Gale, Fresh gale	39 – 46	62 – 74	34 – 40	17.2 – 20.7
9	Strong gale	47 – 54	75 – 88	41 – 47	20.8 – 24.4
10	Storm, Whole gale	55 – 63	89 – 102	48 – 55	24.5 – 28.4
11	Violent storm	64 – 72	103 – 117	56 – 63	28.5 – 32.6
12	Hurricane-force	> 73	> 118	> 64	> 32.7

Script developed by Murry Conarroe of Wildwood Weather.

I started considering Wind Power and Solar Power due to possible govt. raising of electric rates under Obama's CAP and Trade plan; "Under my plan...electric rates would necessarily skyrocket." Remember, winds typically cease after sunset and are minimal during Summer. Wind Power accounts for only .7% of the renewable energy used. Hydropower accounts for 3% of the renewable energy used (US EIA 2009).

Energy Usage Reduction
Before even considering the use of wind power, you have to determine where you can reduce your kWh. One of the biggest loads is your hot water heater. For the climate in our area, the best option seems to be a heat pump. It uses surrounding heat during summer to heat the water.
The Energy Detective
The Power Save The PowerSave seems useful in older homes that can't compensate for initial loads made by older motor-driven appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, etc.

Energy Production
Compare the Power Curve Graph from the turbine (based off a 5 kW Vertical Axis Wind Turbine) with the Daily Wind Avg below and your avg kw usage from your electric bill. The Cut-in Speed of 8 mph is typically the minimum speed for most residential turbines to start generating usable power (about 200 watts). 14-17mph is the avg speed you can expect to meet energy needs of 1000-1600kw. The Rated Speed of 22-30mph is typically the speed for most residential turbines to start generating their full rated power. To justify wind turbine use, the Daily Wind Avg line should be close to the wind speed on the Power Curve graph required to sustain your avg daily kw usage. Avg Gusts are not sustained speeds and should not be considered. NOTE: Using an anemometer at your location will likely produce different data since many factors affect wind patterns.

Wind data at this station is collected at 685' ASL and the anemometer is at 30' (unobstructed). NCDC avgs are computed from data through 2010. NCDC Climate Data
Graph code by Murry Conarroe of Wildwood Weather.

Wind Energy Assessment
It isn't financially beneficial to use Solar Energy in North AL because hydro-electric rates are so low. Unfortunately, wind energy isn't feasible either, due to lack of sufficient sustained winds (unless avg winds of 14-17mph exist at your location). A hybrid wind-battery bank may be a viable solution, and may supply back-up power for 4-12hrs (if avg winds of 14-17mph exist at your location). However, if electric rates skyrocket the way Obama wants, it might be better to go solar, vice using wind.

The data below represents the amount of time windspeed is maintained.

How Wind Data is obtained.

This station's data/observations are collected by a Davis VP2 Professional Wireless Weather Station. Observations are collected every 1sec and data reduction is performed by Weather Display software. The station is comprised of an anemometer, barometer, temperature and humidity sensors, a .01" rain gauge, solar radiation sensor, soil moisture sensors, and 4 thermo-hydro sensors situated in optimal positions for highest accuracy possible. This trend is based on observations recorded at .
Accurate analysis can only be obtained by correctly sited sensors. This weather station is sited IAW the procedures outlined in the CWOP handbook. Data collected by this weather station is utilized by NOAA, CWOP, and other weather organizations.