WIND BREAKS OUTPUT RECORDS, GETS TO 40% ON THE GRID

Wind energy broke records across central US in late February

Herman K. Trabish, February 25, 2016 (Utility Dive)

“Records for wind energy productivity were set across the country in late February. On Feb. 18, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) obtained a record 14,023 MW of wind-generated electricity and a record 45.14% of wind penetration on its grid…On Feb. 19, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which serves all or part of 15 states from Minnesota to Louisiana, obtained a record 13,084 MW from wind. The same day, the Southwest Power Pool(SPP), which serves the lower Midwest, got a record 43.9% wind penetration…These records are expected to be surpassed as stronger spring winds pick up because the U.S. wind energy reached record levels of new capacity installation in 2015, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) 2015 Market Report...Wind energy now provides about 4.9% U.S. electricity and policies are in place that should make it possible for the industry to meet the U.S. Department of Energy forecast that it will supply 20% of the country’s electricity by 2030…” click here for more

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