Wind Data Analysis for Energy Projects: Free Online Tool

Wind resource assessment is the critical first step in any wind energy project. Before investing in met masts or detailed feasibility studies, developers need reliable wind speed and direction data to identify promising sites and eliminate poor candidates. PixelGust provides instant access to wind data for any location on Earth.

Wind Data Available in PixelGust

PixelGust provides 10-meter wind data from the GFS model (real-time) and ERA5 reanalysis (historical):

• Wind speed (m/s): Mean, minimum, and maximum values for current conditions, forecasts, and historical monthly averages.
• Wind direction: Cardinal direction and degree bearing, showing the prevailing wind direction at any location.
• Gust speed: Maximum wind gusts for structural design considerations.
• Historical trends (2015-2025): Monthly wind speed averages over 10 years, visualized as interactive time series charts.

Wind Site Screening Process

Step 1: Initial Screening

Start by checking wind speeds at multiple candidate locations. Areas with mean annual wind speeds above 6 m/s at 10m height are generally considered viable for wind energy at hub height. PixelGust's historical data lets you quickly compare annual averages across sites.

Step 2: Seasonal Analysis

Switch to Historical mode to examine monthly wind patterns. Some sites have strong year-round winds, while others show pronounced seasonal variation. Understanding these patterns is important for estimating capacity factors and planning grid integration.

Step 3: Wind Variability

Compare min and max wind speeds across the 10-year historical record. Sites with consistent wind speeds (low variability) provide more predictable energy production and better financial returns.

Step 4: Terrain Context

Enable the Terrain panel to understand the topography. Ridgelines and elevated plateaus typically have higher wind speeds. Slope and aspect data help identify optimal turbine placement areas.

Use Cases

Wind Farm Pre-Feasibility

Before committing to expensive on-site measurement campaigns, developers can use PixelGust to screen dozens of candidate sites and create a shortlist based on wind resource, terrain, land cover, and proximity to grid infrastructure.

Small Wind Turbine Siting

For small-scale wind installations (residential or commercial), understanding local wind patterns is essential. PixelGust provides the data needed to decide whether a small turbine makes economic sense at a specific location.

Construction and Crane Operations

Construction planners use wind data to estimate the number of days when crane operations are possible. Historical wind speed statistics help plan project timelines and reduce weather-related delays.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Wind data is a key input for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for any outdoor project. PixelGust's exportable data makes it easy to include wind analysis in EIA reports.

Polygon Mode for Regional Assessment

For large-scale wind farm development, use PixelGust's polygon mode to draw an area and get zonal wind statistics across the entire region. This shows you the spatial variation in wind speeds within your area of interest, helping identify the windiest micro-sites.

Data Sources

Real-time and forecast: NOAA GFS 0.25-degree model, updated every 6 hours. Provides current conditions and 7-day forecasts.

Historical: ERA5 reanalysis from ECMWF at 0.25-degree resolution. Monthly averages of 10m wind speed and direction from 2015 to 2025.

Note: PixelGust provides 10m wind data. For hub-height estimates (80-150m), wind speed extrapolation using the power law or log-law wind profile should be applied. The 10m data serves as a reliable proxy for initial site screening.