where is the most wind power produced in the united states
Wind power in the United States In 2016, Nebraska became the eighteenth state to have installed over 1,000 MW of wind power capacity.[3] Texas, with over 20,000 MW of capacity, had the most installed wind power capacity of any U.S. state at the end of 2016. Texas also had more under construction than any other state currently has installed.[3] The state generating the highest percentage of energy from wind power is Iowa.[5] North Dakota has the most per capita wind generation. The Alta Wind Energy Center in California is the largest wind farm in the United States with a capacity of 1548 MW.[6] GE Energy is the largest domestic wind turbine manufacturer.[7]
Wind turbine design Older style wind generators rotate at a constant speed, to match power line frequency, which allowed the use of less costly induction generators.[citation needed] Newer wind turbines often turn at whatever speed generates electricity most efficiently. The varying output frequency and voltage can be matched to the fixed values of the grid using multiple technologies such as doubly fed induction generators or full-effect converters where the variable frequency current produced is converted to DC and then back to AC. Although such alternatives require costly equipment and cause power loss, the turbine can capture a significantly larger fraction of the wind energy. In some cases, especially when turbines are sited offshore, the DC energy will be transmitted from the turbine to a central (onshore) inverter for connection to the grid.