WDC022: Wind Energy - Opportunities and Challenges in the Rural West
Statement of Issues and Justification
Wind energy's emergence on the Western landscape is one of the most exciting, yet divisive, events of the previous decade. According to the Department of Energy, wind energy has increased 482% over the past 10 years in the Western US.This rapid growth is expected to continue due to decreasing industry costs for installation and power delivery and external incentives for renewable energy adoption, such as state Renewable Portfolio Standards and the prospect of federal climate change legislation.
Wind energy can be segmented into four general sectors: small wind, distributed generation, community wind, and large wind. Although the definitions are fluid, small wind is generally considered to be installations that serve local energy loads, often behind the meter. Distributed generation systems range in size from approximately 70 kilowatts to over 20 megawatts and are sometimes established as qualified facilities or QFs. Community wind projects can encompass projects of any size, but their ownership structure is more complex and works to provide local ownership of the facilities. In contrast, large wind systems, generally 800 kW or greater nameplate capacity, usually provide power to the grid to serve wholesale markets or dedicated utilities.
Small-scale wind generation provides opportunities to reduce utility expenses in rural areas, but concerns exist regarding economic viability. Distributed generation projects are often explored by those who want smaller systems for which they are paid for production (as opposed to small wind, where the objective is typically to off-set utilization). These projects are extremely sensitive to wind resources, purchased price of power, and cost of equipment. Many landowners explore these projects as an alternative source of revenue to agricultural productions. Community wind projects are most complicated by the ownership structures and access to capital. Large wind development raises correspondingly larger issues, including potential for significant economic benefits, increased agricultural profitability, and importance to mitigating climate change. In addition to the long-term economic viability of large wind, concerns regarding transmission and maintenance infrastructure, environmental and community impact are also present.
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