Skip to main content

Data Puzzle: Wind Farms of the Future

Center for Education, Engagement and Evaluation

This activity asks students to identify the best locations for wind farms based on the connection between surface roughness and wind speed. Students are directed to use a data tool called Global Wind Atlas to identify optimal locations for wind farms.

Click to View

Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

  • Consider assigning the journal article as an official assignment as a part of a semester wide journal curriculum for other puzzles in the "Data Puzzle" section of the University of Colorado CIRES CEEE website. Students can create a class-wide journal to include all articles. This activity can also be extended by prompting a discussion on how climate change may impact the efficiency and feasibility of off-shore wind (stronger storm systems, sea level rise, etc.) Review the entire activity before implementing it, especially the Global Wind Atlas. This activity may require less time than listed; however, do not reduce the amount of class time at the expense of student learning opportunities.