Wind power sets new generation, penetration records on Texas utility system

The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the utility system operator serving most of the Lone Star State, has recorded two new wind energy records in the past few weeks, one for maximum generation and another for penetration (wind generation as a percentage of total supply).

 

The penetration record was established April 21, with wind farms at one point providing 35.05 percent, or more than a third, of the system’s power.

 

On May 2, the peak wind generation record fell, with a new high of 9,674 MW being reached at 4:30 p.m., easily eclipsing the previous maximum of 9,481 MW set February 9.

 

Wind records have been set on several major utility systems around the country since January 1, following the wind industry’s record year for installations of new capacity in 2012. It’s important to note that these new marks are being set without any utility system reliability problems, as system operators make use of their standard techniques for balancing supply and demand.

Related articles:
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Xcel Energy achieves wind energy milestone, March 26, 2013

California, Pacific Northwest set new wind generation records, March 5, 2013

Wind generation records fall in Texas, Colorado, Pacific Northwest, February 20, 2013

More new wind generation records: Texas, Spain, UK, February 5, 2013

Bonneville reaches new peak for wind generation: 4,344 MW, January 31, 2013

ERCOT sets wind generation record on Christmas Day, January 14, 2013

Southwest Power Pool achieves wind penetration record, December 20, 2012

ERCOT, SPP systems see record wind generation levels, November 21, 2012

Texas system operator tallies new record: 8,368 MW, June 21, 2012

WINDPOWER 2012 Update: Xcel Colorado sets new mark with 56.7% wind, June 5, 2012

Wind generation sets new records in Texas, Spain, May 22, 2012

Across the U.S., wind power sets new generation records, February 13, 2012

Xcel sets world record with 55.6% wind penetration, November 28, 2011

After a scorching week, wind power lessons from the Texas heat wave, August 11, 2011

Wind energy integration: Some fundamental facts, June 23, 2011

Tom Gray, http://www.awea.org/blog