In 2007, the growth of wind farms to generate electricity and diversify our Nation's energy sources grew at its greatest rate, approximately 45%. Wind farms now contribute over 1% of the Nation's supply of electricity supply with a goal of 20% by 2030. Growth in the number, height, and size of wind farms/turbines is expected to continue, along with increased encroachment on Weather Surveillance Radar-1988, Doppler (WSR-88D) sites.

Many wind farms in operation were installed without apparent knowledge of their possible impacts on WSR-88Ds. When wind farms are located in the radar line of sight of WSR-88Ds, wind turbine clutter/interference (spurious and false radar echoes) from rotating turbine blades can impact WSR-88D data quality, of radar algorithm and product performance, forecast and warning operations, and other radar data users.

Since the middle of 2006, the WSR-88D Radar Operations Center (ROC), on behalf of the WSR-88D triagencies (DOC, DoD, and DOT), has been working with the wind energy industry and radar sites, and sponsoring research to understand and mitigate the impact of wind farms/turbines on WSR-88Ds. The learning “curve” for the ROC and the wind energy industry has been steep, but considerable progress has been made.

This paper and presentation will provide new examples of the impact of wind farms on WSR-88Ds, outline new ROC efforts to engage the wind energy industry to ensure mutually-beneficial siting options, highlight ROC efforts to mitigate the impacts of wind farms on the WSR-88D, and describe the analytical techniques the ROC is using to identify and categorize potential issues.