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Publication Number: CEC-500-2005-107-SD
Abstract:
With an aggressive Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goal and state Energy Action Plan, the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Renewable Research and Development Program is paving a strategic pathway for the growth and integration of future renewable generation and transmission planning with the Strategic Value Analysis (SVA) effort. This white paper looks at California's wind resources, its economics, and the benefits they offer society and the state's electric system. The technology base of wind is established, as are current and projected future states of wind economics. Three scenarios are analyzed to further identify the most economic and beneficial resources. A utility-scale analysis, based on proximity to transmission hotspots, was modeled for 2405MW over six California counties. Of that total, 1773MW had positive system benefits without requiring significant transmission upgrades. If transmission upgrades are made, an additional 3256MW would become available by 2017. The second scenario identified between 13MW and 26MW of low-wind speed capacity located near distributed generation hotspots. The third scenario examined significant low-wind speed resources not captured under the utility-scale analysis. A simulated summer peak load of 282MW was injected into the system, yielding a net system benefit of 81MW.
Author(s): Dora Yen, Mike Kane Commission Division: Technology Systems Division - R&D, PIER (500)
Office/Program: Renewable Energy General
PIER Program Area: Renewable Energy Technologies
Date Report Completed: June 2005
Date On Line:
06/28/2005
Acrobat PDF File Size: 52 pages,
2,300 kilobytes**
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