KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 28, 2010 -- EnerNex© Corporation was the prime contractor for the study recently released by The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) documenting the methods, findings, and conclusions of a detailed assessment of high levels of wind generation in the Eastern Interconnection. EnerNex enlisted the assistance of Ventyx and the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO).
The U.S. portion of Eastern Interconnection, one of three large synchronous grids that provide electric energy to the contiguous 48 states and Canada, ranges from the Canadian border to the Gulf Coast (excluding most of the state of Texas) and from the western Great Plains to the Atlantic. Included in the footprint are the operating areas of MISO, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the PJM Interconnection, the New York Independent System Operation (NYISO), ISO-New England, as well as the Tennessee Valley Authority, Entergy, and other entities comprising Southeastern Electric Reliability Council (SERC).
The 16-month study evaluated the transmission requirements for and operating impacts of three scenarios where wind generation would provide 20 percent of the electric energy demands across the U.S. portion of the interconnection, and one scenario where wind contributes 30 percent. Drawing from methods developed in earlier wind integration studies and related technical work from across the U.S., the study broke new ground with the size and scope of the study area and the high local and regional amounts of wind generation considered. Providing 20 percent of the interconnection energy demand in the target study year of 2024 required nearly 230,000 MW of wind generation capacity; for 30 percent, the installed capacity rises to about 330,000 MW.
Quantitative results from the study were drawn from detailed simulations of market operation at hourly resolution over three years of data. The power system model included nearly all individual generators in the interconnection (8,000 units) and all transmission lines 115 kV and above, bringing the count of individual buses in the model to almost 40,000. Development of conceptual extra high voltage transmission overlays to deliver the wind energy produced in each scenario to load was an important, and unique, element of the study.
According to Energy Executive and EnerNex Vice President, Bob Zavadil, who led the study and project team, "The sheer scope of this study was, at the beginning, extremely daunting. Now that this phase has been completed successfully, I believe that it could become a template for future studies. With over 35 GW of wind generation already installed in the U.S., it is no longer useful to focus on a single balancing authority without considering effects of wind generation, transmission, and other supply resources in the region. And, as the installed capacity of wind generation continues to grow, it may be necessary to beyond a single region."
To view the final report, click here.
About EnerNex
EnerNex Corporation provides engineering and consulting services, along with software solutions and customization, for the electric power industry. EnerNex focuses on providing services around the development and application of new and emerging electric power technologies to engineer a cleaner, smarter energy system of the future. For more information on EnerNex, visit www.enernex.com.
Contact: Carrie Parks
Phone: 865-218-4600 ext. 6142
carrie@enernex.com
www.enernex.com
