White paper - Northern American Map

The 2024 Northern American wind map released on UL Solutions’ ULTRUS™ Windnavigator Resource Data and Maps software is a major update to the original map which dates from 15 years ago. The 200-m resolution mean wind speed maps are created with UL Solutions’ proprietary wind flow modeling system consisting of a coupled mesoscale and microscale model. The model outputs are subsequently fine-tuned with wind measurements from UL Solutions’ large database of met stations. The new wind map not only provides more accurate data and at higher heights (up to 300 m) but also leverage the latest advancements in wind modeling technology, offering enhanced insights when analyzing and prospecting greenfield sites and assessing competing projects. More specifically, the enhancements designed to help wind developers make more informed decisions include:

• Expanded met data coverage
  - 2.5 times more observations compared to the original map
  - Includes met data from longer periods of record and higher measurement heights
  - More representative and spatially diverse met data in Northern America
• Enhanced wind map heights
  - Wind maps now available up to 300m, accommodating taller turbines
• Improved wind modeling and accuracy
  - Based on the latest mesoscale modeling and reanalysis dataset