New DOE Study Documents Potential of Wind Energy

DOE released an extensive Eastern Wind Integration Study (EWITS) today, evaluating the feasibility of incorporating wind power at up to 20-30% penetration of the electrical power grid. See: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/news_detail.html?news_id=15752. The EWITS concludes that 20% penetration or more is achievable by 2024, albeit with significant costs to upgrade the transmission system. The study suggests that such costs are tolerable in the context of a national power grid. The study will be good news for those discouraged by the party line that wind power is too geographically dispersed to meaningfully replace fossil fuel. Party liners may be tempted to ask for more convincing cost/benefit analysis.