Around 7500 surface stations and 500 balloon stations provided the data for the study, with new interpolation techniques using the information to calculate the wind speed at 80m (the hub height of standard turbines) globally. According to the researchers, around 13% of the stations recorded an average wind speed strong enough for power generation, otherwise known as Class 3 wind strength.

North America showed the greatest potential for Class 3 winds, along with northern Europe, Tasmania and the southern tip of South America.

“The main implication of this study is that wind for low-cost wind energy is more widely available than was previously recognised,” said research team member Cristina Archer.

“The methodology in the paper can be utilised for several applications, such as determining elevated wind speeds in remote areas or to evaluate the benefits of distributed wind power.”

The research indicated that 72 terawatts of power could be harvested annually from Class 3 sites, as little as 20% of which would be able to supply the world’s total power needs.

Although this would require immense numbers of turbines, the team hopes its research will allow better placement of turbines and reduce the number of farms established in areas with only intermittent winds.