High-capacity factor wind energy systems
- Princeton Univ., NJ (United States). Center for Energy and Environmental Studies
Wind-generated electricity can be fundamentally transformed from an intermittent resource to a baseload power supply. For the case of long distance transmission of wind electricity, this change can be achieved at a negligible increase or even a decrease in the per unit cost of electricity. The economic and technical feasibility of this process can be illustrated by studying the example of a wind farm located in central Kansas and a 2,000 km, 2,000 megawatt transmission line to southern California. Such a system can have a capacity factor of 60%, with no economic penalty and without storage. With compressed air energy storage (CAES) (and with a negligible economic penalty), capacity factors of 70--95% can be achieved. This strategy has important implications for the development of wind energy throughout the world since good wind resources are usually located far from major demand centers.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 78265
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Vol. 117, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: May 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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