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utilities and wind power
Transmission
One of the biggest constraints to the expanded growth of wind power in the United States will be the ability of the transmission grid to deliver large amounts of wind energy to customers. AWEA seeks to transform electric industry practices, including in the area of transmission, through advocacy and outreach.
Why is transmission so important for wind power development?
Some of the best wind resources in the country are typically located in areas remote from the largest load centers and markets for electricity. By expanding and upgrading transmission systems, the nation could better access wind energy, which could be more easily moved from distant areas to population centers where electricity demand is greatest. Moreover, by facilitating the expansion and geographical dispersion of wind power across a wide area, an upgraded transmission grid improves the reliability of wind. When the wind is not blowing at one location, it is usually blowing somewhere else. Thus, dispersed wind power compensates for short-term fluctuations.
Add more information on transmission and tie it more to utilities such as:
- A paragraph on the history of the grid—how we got where we are today. Utilities know that their grids developed over time to connect local load with local generation, and then gradually those local utility grids were interconnected in furtherance of reliability benefits, into a “national electric grid.” But that national grid was never intended to function, and never has functioned, to move truly large amounts of power from one region of the country to another. America’s electric grid should be designed to function much like the interstate highway system functions to efficiently transport goods across the country. This “electric superhighway” would allow low-priced clean energy to reach consumers across the country. Such a national grid would require state, regional, and national rethinking in terms of transmission line construction processes.
I always find a VERY compelling point to be the one about how we need this transmission superhighway/an upgraded system with or without wind in order to bring all kinds of greater efficiencies. AEP probably said something like this, didn’t they? Quote them? Or Xcel
Questions can be directed to Jeff Anthony, AWEA Manager for Utility Programs at janthony@awea.org.
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