Macomb, IL – A geographer who works with wind power says Illinois has potential, but could use more recorded data showing where the winds blow and how strongly.
Steve Stadler is Oklahoma state climatologist. He helped form a Network of more than 120 recording stations across the state that are linked together over the internet.
He says the every-five-minute readings provide a database that has helped wind power firms locate in the best parts of the state.
He says Illinois has potential, especially in areas with few trees because of its wide-open spaces.
In addition, Stadler says high ground tends to be better for wind farms, because wind sweeping up a hill has a vertical component as well as a horizontal component. He says that means more power to the blades.
He also says the roughness of the surface can slow down the wind. Crops create little turbulence, but trees can both distort the wind flow and cut its speed.
Other factors that he says contribute to the success of a wind development include proximity to transmission lines and a nearby market for the power generated.
In addition, he says the political climate can be a major factor. He says some object to turbines spoiling the view or to the noise and danger to wildlife.
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The Oklahoma Meso Network that Stadler helped start involves 115 stations. Some of them have been taking readings every five minutes since 1991.
He says the many years' data give developers a better idea of where to site their projects.
Stadler will speak on Geography and the Wind Monday evening at 7:30 in Morgan Hall room 109 at WIU.