A press release issued today by the The Midwest ISO estimates that the electricity sector will require over $80 billion in new transmission infrastructure to deliver 20% of the electricity used by the Eastern U.S. from wind power by 2024. According to the release, the 20% wind energy scenario would require an estimated 15,000 miles of new extra-high voltage lines. An additional $1.1 trillion in total generation capital costs--including roughly $720 billion for wind turbines--would be required by 2024 to achieve the 20% goal.
The press release concluded by stating that "this is only the initial phase of the analysis that must be performed to derive the most effective and efficient answer. A follow-on phase of the study will be initiated in the first quarter of 2009 to investigate additional scenarios that must be analyzed to develop a better understanding of the possible solutions available, perform a detailed reliability assessment, better refine the existing assumptions, and
recommended new transmission facilities and the costs and benefits."
The Midwest ISO was commissioned in December 2008 by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory to study the effects of increasing wind capacity to 20 percent and 30 percent of retail electric energy sales in 2024 for the Eastern U.S. The study will use simulation models to analyze variables such as the volatility of wind wind operation and the difficulties in forecasting wind power supply.
The Midwest ISO is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to assure unbiased management of and open access to the electrical transmission facilities under its supervision.
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