Much of the material presented in the handbook was originally compiled for the preparation of the U*WRAP Handbook. This publication was written by AWS Scientific, Inc., in support of the Utility Wind Resource Assessment Program (U*WRAP), and was distributed to interested utilities. The success of the U*WRAP Handbook prompted requests from wind energy industry representatives that a similar handbook be made available for the public domain. In response to these requests, NREL contracted with AWS Scientific, Inc. to write a wind resource assessment handbook suitable for any organization or individual desiring to conduct a formally structured wind measurement program.