Transmission study looks at linking 500 MW of US wind capacity
NORTH BILLINGS, Montana, US, 2004-09-29 (Refocus Weekly)
A study will begin on October 7 to examine the transmission impact of installing 500 MW of wind turbines in the U.S. mid-west.
The final Study Scope associated with the Dakotas Wind Transmission Study has
been issued, following public comments on a proposed scope issued in February.
Seventy comments from landowners, citizens, elected officials and utilities were
incorporated into the final scope.
Last year, the U.S. Congress passed legislation that included US$750,000 funding
for the Western Area Power Administration to perform the transmission study on
placing 500 MW of wind energy in North Dakota and South Dakota. The two states
have the potential to generate more than 100 times their current use of
electricity, but current wind capacity in the Dakotas is 110 MW, which is 2.5%
of the electricity consumed in the two states.
The Dakotas export as much electricity as they consume, but exports are limited
by both stability and thermal loading on the region's transmission system.
The study will analyse non-firm transmission potential relative to new wind
generation, assess transmission technology potential relative to new wind
generation, study interconnection of new wind generation and study delivery to
market of new wind generation. It will also develop a cost-sharing loan or grant
program for partially funding transmission studies for wind projects and update
the models developed in the study at regular intervals to incorporate ongoing
changes to the Dakotas’ transmission system.
A number of transmission studies for wind energy in the region have been
completed for both interconnection and delivery, such as the 2002 ‘Montana-Dakotas
Transmission Scope’ by WAPA. That study highlighted key wind-related
transmission issues, and several new studies are underway to expand those
findings.
The study will not consider construction of a new transmission line, but will
evaluate transmission system constraints and suggest solutions. It will focus on
non-firm delivery, and will provide “empirical transmission system data for
public use to aid in making business decisions involving wind development in the
Dakotas.”
WAPA will evaluate and develop power production profiles of wind generation
using historical data and statistically representative wind profiles, and will
coordinate with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to identify the
representative wind power production time series and develop the wind models.
The DWTS is a “higher level planning study” on technical transmission issues
related to new wind power development, and does not include policy or regulatory
issues including participation of tribal governments although the agency will
consult with tribal governments so that tribal rights and concerns are
considered prior to any action being taken which affects the tribes.
Seven wind generation zones will be evaluated for interconnection, and aggregate
interconnection studies to determine the local impacts of new wind generation
will be prepared for each site at four wind generation levels of 50, 150, 250
and 500 MW.
WAPA markets and transmits 10,000 MW from hydroelectric facilities that are
owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 15
western and central states. It is part of the Department of Energy.
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