Xcel sets world record with 55.6% wind penetration

Minneapolis-based utility Xcel Energy set a world record early on the morning of Oct. 6, with 55.6 percent of the electricity on its Public Service of Colorado (PSCo) system between the hours of 4 and 5 a.m. coming from wind, according to the Denver Post.

The Post's Mark Jaffe quoted AWEA's Manager of Transmission Policy, Michael Goggin, as saying that the previous record of 53 percent was achieved in Spain in 2009. According to the article, "Improved wind forecasting, energy trading and grid operating improvements are allowing more wind power to be used, Xcel executives said."

Wind power has faced skepticism for many years (though most of it has come from, or been funded by, competing energy sources) on grounds that its variability cannot be accommodated on utility systems. This is an odd claim, since utilities must already balance the amount of electricity they supply with frequent variations in customer demand, both throughout a typical day and from season to season during the year. Records like the one set by Xcel show just how little basis there is for the assertion that wind cannot be integrated with other energy sources. To quote the Post's Jaffe, "Xcel's experience shows that greater penetration of wind power is possible and the lights will stay on."

More reading:

Wind research generates savings for large utility, November 14, 2011
More wind power and utility integration: A question already being resolved, October 19, 2011
Notion of other power sources being variable, too, gains traction, August 30, 2011
After a scorching week, wind power lessons from the Texas heat wave, August 11, 2011
Wind helps meet new Texas record for electricity demand, August 4, 2011
As Texas utility system is stressed, wind generation shows up on schedule, August 3, 2011
Fact check: Utility spokesperson errs on wind integration, July 5, 2011
Wind energy integration: Some fundamental facts, June 23, 2011
Mythbusting fact: Wind power is valuable even if the wind doesn't blow all the time, April 20, 2011