Fact check: NYT article misses larger story of wind's reliability
In Vermont, two newly installed wind projects have had to reduce their output on a few occasions because the local electric transmission system, in a relatively remote rural area, is weak. That's unfortunate, but the regional power system operator (ISO New England) has indicated that the problem will be resolved by the end of this year when the transmission network is strengthened.
Wind power is producing large amounts of electricity reliably. Iowa and South Dakota now produce more than 20% of their electricity from wind energy, while the main utility system in Colorado has obtained more than 55% of its electricity from wind on some occasions, achievements that naysayers would have called impossible just a few years ago.
Integrating wind power is not a serious problem for utilities. Utilities have always had to cope with constantly changing levels of customer demand from day to day and season to season. To integrate wind, utility system operators are simply using the same set of tools they have used for more than 100 years to accommodate fluctuations in electricity demand and failures at conventional power plants. In fact, changes in wind energy output occur gradually and are predictable, in contrast to the instantaneous failures often experienced at conventional power plants. As a result, Texas and Midwest grid operators will tell you that they have each been able to add more than 10,000 MW of wind with minimal increases in the need for flexible reserves. There is a reason why at least 74 utilities bought or owned wind power in 2012, up 50% from the previous year.
"The wind expansion will enhance economic development and provide in excess of $360 million in additional property tax revenues over the next 30 years. Landowner payments totaling more than $3 million per year also are expected as a result of the expansion. The expansion is planned to be built at no net cost to the company’s customers and will help stabilize electric rates over the long term by providing a rate reduction totaling $10 million per year by 2017, commencing with a $3.3 million reduction in 2015. The rate reduction will begin after MidAmerican Energy installs the first 350 megawatts of generation capacity. During construction, approximately 460 jobs will be added to the Iowa economy, and nearly 50 new permanent jobs will be added when the expansion is complete.
"'The best way to meet our customers’ energy needs is to provide reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible energy through a diversified generation portfolio,' said Bill Fehrman, president and CEO, MidAmerican Energy. 'The wind expansion will help stabilize electric rates over the long term for our customers and also demonstrates MidAmerican Energy’s commitment to lessen the environmental impact created by the process of electrical generation.'"
Photo credit: First Wind
Related articles:
Doubling down on wind: Ireland greens its grid, looks to export, July 3, 2013
New report further confirms renewable energy is reliable, April 18, 2013
Utility system in NE Vermont to be strengthened, resolving concerns about new wind power, April 10, 2013
Fact check: Debunking Howard Rich's errors on wind, March 28, 2013
Fact check: Sen. Alexander's claims about wind energy unfounded, March 27, 2013
Xcel Energy achieves wind energy milestone, March 26, 2013
