WIND TO SELL, WIND TO BUY

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, often mentioned as a potential Obama running mate, has been driving development of wind energy in her state. At WindPower 2008, the recent wind industry convention, she called for federal policy that supports wind’s growth: "Congress must renew the production tax credits and make it clear to investors that this incentive will last for several years…The market will work effectively and competitively as long as investors know their long-term investments are prudent…[a single-year credit extension sends] the wrong signal about our commitment to diversifying America's long-term energy portfolio."

Supported by the Sebelius administration, wind is thriving in Kansas and the state is looking at possibly having excess wind-generated electricity, an exportable commodity if suitable transmission is available.

An important federal policy also on the table (though not for the current Congress obstructed by a minority of recalcitrant fossil fool Senators mired in 1950s thinking) is a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). A national RES is the other crucial piece in the development of Kansas’ wind resources because it would require utilities from all states to obtain a portion of their power from New Energy sources.

Under a national RES, states that lack New Energy resources of their own might get credit for meeting the standard by helping to develop transmission to import New Energy-rich neighboring states. Kansas could then sell its excess wind energy-generated electricity to Southeastern states along transmission lines co-built by exporter and importer.

In the early decades of the U.S. oil boom, from the 19th century to World War II, Kansas was an oil-producing and exporting state. Thanks to an abundance of wind, it will likely now once again resume the role of energy exporter – and wind assets do not peak and run down like Kansas’ oil reserves did.

Kansas has excellent wind, especially in the west. (click to enlarge)

Wind farms could have state exporting energy
Tim Carpenter, June 11, 2008 (Topeka Capital-Journal)

WHO
Mark Parkinson, Lt. Gov., Kansas

WHAT
Kansas is on track to triple its installed wind energy capacity and is considering the possibility of selling excess electricity generation to other states.

Some transmission is available to carry Kansas wind to the Deep South and Southeast - but more is needed. (click to enlarge)

WHEN
- End of 2007: Installed Kansas wind capacity- 365 megawatts.
- End of 2008: Projected installed Kansas wind capacity- 1,15 megawatts.

WHERE
- Kansas would be the 7th state to have 1000+ megawatts of wind capacity.
- Kansas’ most recent wind developments include Smoky Hills Wind Farm west of Salina and Meridian Way Wind Farm near Concordia, both well-positioned to supply the population center of Topeka.

WHY
- The key to Kansas’ success as a wind generated-electricity exporter is having adequate transmission.
- With present technologies, Kansas’ power system can only use 20% to 25% of the state’s 7,000 to 10,000 megawatt potential wind energy capacity.
- The Southeast, which lacks large wind resources and has resisted building other New Energy infrastructure, is a ready market if proper incentives are developed.

Kansas will, in 2008, join the 1000+ megawatt club of California, Washington, Colorado, Texas, Minnesota and Iowa. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Mark Parkinson, Lt. Gov., Kansas: "We know there is just a certain amount of wind we can integrate into our electrical system in Kansas…How do we keep the momentum going? We're probably talking about export."
- Ken Frahm, co-chairs (w/Lt. Gov. Parkinson), Kansas Energy Council: "Kansas is pretty good for wind, and southwest Kansas is darn good…"