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Recent studies in South Dakota show that the potential for wind power is much greater than the national weather service estimates indicated. This is due to their anemometer being only 30 feet above the ground, instead of the 200-300 feet at which wind turbines are typically placed. Wind at the higher altitude tends to be stronger, more consistent and less gusty.
The studies also shed some light on some possible problems with wind at the higher elevations.
"At ground level, winds peak in the afternoon and gradually die off in the evening. But higher up, the peak may not come until 2 or 3 a.m.
"The reason why that's a bad thing is that tends to be the time of lowest demand on the power system," said Ropp.
Finding ways to store that electricity or use it at night -- recharging electric cars, for example -- might address that imbalance, he said."
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