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Mean wind speed, monthly profiles, and energy potential at 41.18°N, 71.58°W
Average wind speed at 100m hub height for each month of the year.
Block Island experiences peak winds during February (9.9 m/s) with lowest speeds in August (7.15 m/s). The seasonal pattern shows strong winter and spring winds with calmer summer conditions.
The ratio between peak and minimum monthly wind speed is 1.38, indicating moderate seasonal variation. Energy production will be relatively consistent throughout the year, which is favorable for baseload power contracts.
Wind speed increases with height due to reduced surface friction. Modern turbines typically operate at 80-120m hub height.
| Height | Wind Speed (m/s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10m | 7.1 | Standard measurement height |
| 50m | 8.21 | Small/distributed turbines |
| 80m | 8.57 | Mid-size turbines |
| 100m | 8.75 | Modern utility-scale turbines |
Rhode Island ranks #36 nationally for wind energy capacity, making it an emerging market for wind energy development. The state's coastal and offshore areas define its wind resource characteristics across different regions and elevations.
Rhode Island has a small but growing wind energy sector with approximately 0.03 GW installed. As turbine technology advances and development costs decrease, additional sites across the state are becoming economically viable.
Wind resources in Rhode Island are concentrated along ridgelines and coastal areas. The Northeastern United States is increasingly focused on offshore wind development, but onshore sites continue to play an important role in the region's renewable energy portfolio.
The mean wind speed in Block Island, Rhode Island is 8.75 m/s at 100m hub height, 8.57 m/s at 80m, and 7.1 m/s at 10m. Wind power density at this location is 410.3 W/m², classified as IEC Wind Class II.
Block Island has a wind quality rating of "Excellent" based on its mean wind speed of 8.75 m/s at hub height. This location is well-suited for utility-scale wind energy development. Peak winds occur in February (9.9 m/s) with lowest speeds in August (7.15 m/s).
IEC Class II turbines offer the best balance of energy capture and structural reliability here. Models like the Vestas V136-3.45 or Siemens Gamesa SG 3.4-132 are well-suited, combining moderate rotor sizes with robust designs for sustained high winds.
Based on the mean wind speed near Block Island, a modern 3 MW turbine could produce approximately 9.5 GWh per year (capacity factor ~36%). That is enough to power roughly 901 average American homes. A 100 MW wind farm at this location could generate approximately 312 GWh annually, worth $10927.5M at $35/MWh wholesale electricity prices.
Explore wind data for nearby cities, sorted by wind quality.