THERE’S MORE WIND THAN WE THOUGHT

Rumor is, Senator Thune is out stumping for wind energy. Wind energy needs more smart Republicans like him. Maybe he'll go back to D.C. and win over a few of his southern colleagues for the upcoming congressional battle over a renewables mandate.

Wind data offers some surprises
August 21, 2007 (AP via Rapid City Journal)

WHO
Mike Ropp, associate professor of electrical engineering, South Dakota State University; Dusty Johnson, chairman, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.

WHAT
Sensors placed on transmission towers by the Wind Resource Assessment Network (WRAN) found wind energy potential in South Dakota to be greater than previously estimated.

Look at all that pink and purple! (click to enlarge)

WHEN
- Estimates based on 10-minute time block readings
- 2006 South Dakota Energy Infrastructure Authority study listed 18 potential wind energy sites, 6 w/100 megawatt potential, another w/140 megawatt and another (near White) w/ 200 megawatt potential.
- Windiest months: March to May. Highest electricity demand: July-August.

WHERE
- 164 to 295 feet above the ground in South Dakota at 11 WRAN site: Fort Thompson, Leola, Crow Lake, Crandall, Summit (since 2001). Gettysburg (2004), Murdo (2005), Belle Fourche and Medicine Butte (2006), Faith and Martin (2007).
wind estimate information available on WRAN website
story reported from Sioux Falls, SD
- SD PUC recently approved Minneapolis-based Navitas Energy Inc.’s White Wind Farm on SD eastern border, 103 turbines w/200-megawatts at $300 million cost.

WHY
- Previous (lower) estimates were based on National Weather Service anemometers 30 feet off the ground. High tower findings revealed stronger, more consistent winds. Also predictable direction, making wind farm design and positioning easier.
- A downside of high winds: ground level winds peak in the afternoon, during peak consumer demand, while high winds peak wind at 2am-3am, way off-peak for consumer demand. This raises the frequently discussed need for a way, now only theoretical, to store wind energy. One suggestion is compressed air; another is charging electric cars.
- The new estimates are expected to generate new wind energy development in the state.
- SD PUC and Legislature are expediting permits and cost recovery for building electric transmission to other states.
- SD presently has 34 turbines producing 44 megawatts. SD’s biggest wind energy site: Highmore (operator: FPL Energy; 27 turbines, 40 megawatt capacity) By contrast, Iowa has 1035 megawatt capacity and Minnesota has 897 megawatt capacity. Rule of thumb: 1 megawatt = 250-300 houses.

It just makes sense.

QUOTES
- Ropp: “Wind speed changes at elevation, and in the band we’re looking at — 50 to 90 meters (164-295 feet) — we’re finding the winds tend to be stronger than had been predicted by previous studies and a little more consistent, less gusty…Both of those are good things from a wind power perspective.”
- Johnson: “It’s the kind of data that gets a wind developer’s attention…You go from modeling data that the federal government has that is not particularly attractive to developers, and then you get the real hard data about South Dakota and particular locations…As a result, they come to South Dakota…[and] start investing some serious dollars.”
- Johnson: “The story for South Dakota wind power the last 10 years has been, “Boy, the wind is great — if we could only harness it…The new story for South Dakota wind power is we’re finally harnessing the wind, turning it into dollars and cents for South Dakota, turning it into green energy. The wait is over, the reality is here.”