Wind power sets new generation, penetration records on Texas utility system
The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the utility system operator serving most of the Lone Star State, has recorded two new wind energy records in the past few weeks, one for maximum generation and another for penetration (wind generation as a percentage of total supply).
The penetration record was established April 21, with wind farms at one point providing 35.05 percent, or more than a third, of the system's power.
On May 2, the peak wind generation record fell, with a new high of 9,674 MW being reached at 4:30 p.m., easily eclipsing the previous maximum of 9,481 MW set February 9.
Wind records have been set on several major utility systems around the country since January 1, following the wind industry's record year for installations of new capacity in 2012. It's important to note that these new marks are being set without any utility system reliability problems, as system operators make use of their standard techniques for balancing supply and demand.
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