Description: This layer represents the annual average wind resource data used in the Renewable Electricity Futures Study (http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/re_futures). It is a composite of the best available data at the time the original analysis was completed, in 2010. The onshore wind resource data was modeled on a state or regional basis, and inconsistencies exist at the state boundaries because of differences in modeling assumptions and resolutions. The majority of the onshore wind data was modeled at a 50 m hub height, and vertically adjusted to 80 m height to better represent current wind technology. Standard exclusions were applied to eliminate protected areas (wilderness, wildlife refuges, parks, etc.), incompatible land use (wetlands, urban areas){:target=”_blank”}, and other criteria from the available wind resource. Onshore and offshore wind resource are represented as wind power class, with a minimum of class 3 used in the study. Additional details on the data are available in Volume 2, Appendix F.