Evaluation of Optimal Distribution of Wind Power Facilities in Iowa for 2015
- Iowa Wind Energy Institute
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory
By the end of June 1999, about 250 megawatts of wind generation will have been dedicated in the state of Iowa. This represents the beginning of what is likely to be significant wind capacity development during the next 20 years in the state, as a result of possible public and governmental mandates and consumers' desire for sustainable sources of energy. As the utility industry in the United States moves towards a new structure, renewable energy sources continue to be an important part of new resource development. In this paper, we consider the predicted trends in load growth in Iowa. After accounting for the retirement of nuclear and older fossil fuel facilities over the next 15 years, we estimate Iowa's potential renewable generating capacity through the year 2015 and anticipate the contribution of wind energy to Iowa's portfolio. The Iowa Wind Energy Institute (IWEI) has been monitoring the wind resource in Iowa since June 1994 to obtain wind speed averages at 10, 33 and 50 meters above ground at fourteen geographically dispersed potential wind farm sites. Winds in the Midwest are primarily generated by fronts moving through the region. The Northwest Buffalo Ridge area of Iowa typically has wind speed averages of 7-8 m/s. Central Iowa may have typical winds slightly below this mean value. However, as a front passes through the state, there will be times when a wind farm in Central Iowa will produce more energy than one on Buffalo Ridge.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-98-GO10337
- OSTI ID:
- 12165
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-500-26723; ON: DE00012165
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Windpower '99; Burlington, Vermont; June 21-23, 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Great Plains Wind Energy Transmission Development Project
A GIS wind resource map with tabular printout of monthly and annual wind speeds for 2,000 towns in Iowa