Wind power experts say Texas grid needs work

subscribe

Problems integrating a rising amount of wind-generated electricity into the Texas wholesale power market may slow short-term development, but won't deter long-term prospects for local wind generators, industry sources said.

Strong spring wind production in West Texas has been trapped as major transmission lines undergo seasonal maintenance. The lack of sufficient transmission capacity to move wind power from sparsely populated West Texas to densely populated North Texas has led to low on-peak prices and some negative off-peak prices in trading in the ERCOT West zone and for "seller's choice" power.

"Small companies may get spooked" by the low prices, said Declan Flanagan, chief executive of E.ON Climate & Renewables North America which hopes to double its U.S. wind generation to 1,150 megawatts by early next year.

As market participants and regulators develop large, new transmission lines to take advantage of the state's wind resource, the market for wind will stabilize, Flanagan told the Gulf Coast Power Association conference in Houston.

"Long-term, ERCOT is a growing market, driven by natural gas" that will continue to attract thousands of megawatts of new wind generation," he said.

Related News

U.S Bans Russian Uranium to Bolster Domestic Industry

U.S Bans Russian Uranium to Bolster Domestic Industry

RUSSIA - In a move aimed at reducing reliance on Russia and fostering domestic energy security, the United States has banned imports of Russian uranium, a critical component of nuclear fuel. This decision, signed into law by President Biden in May 2024, marks a significant shift in the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain and has far-reaching economic and geopolitical implications.

For decades, Russia has been a major supplier of enriched uranium, a processed form of uranium used to power nuclear reactors. The U.S. relies on Russia for roughly a quarter of its enriched uranium needs, feeding the nation's network of…

READ MORE
clean grid laboratories

From smart meters to big batteries, co-ops emerge as clean grid laboratories

READ MORE

canada-first-commercial-electric-flight

Canada's First Commercial Electric Flight

READ MORE

alberta-ends-moratorium-on-renewable-energy-projects

Alberta Ends Moratorium on Renewable Energy Projects

READ MORE

denmark wind power

Wind Denmark - summer's autumn weather provides extraordinarily low electricity prices

READ MORE