The utility industry in the United States has been changing significantly due to statewide renewable portfolio standards requirements. 38 states now require a portion of their electricity to be generated from renewable or alternative energy sources as a way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. And as the sector grows, effective efficiencies have to be found and implemented…
Wind energy has become a popular choice for utility organizations looking to meet these requirements. More than 50 gigawatts (GW) of wind power has been installed in the United States, with an additional 10 GW in construction. Not only does wind power provide a clean source of electricity, it helps keep electric rates low and provides utilities a barrier against fossil fuel price volatility.
Wind energy costs have dropped over the past two years as wind turbine technology has matured, including taller towers and improved efficiencies. Additionally, wind energy prices are typically locked-in for 20 or 30 years because there’s no fear of fuel cost spikes – wind is projected to remain free.
While wind can be an extremely profitable energy resource (costing just 3-5 cents per kilowatt hour to produce), it is difficult to rely on a resource that is notoriously challenging to predict and manage. Wind prediction is hard in general because small changes in atmospheric temperature or pressure can alter wind speeds and direction.
Forecasting wind around turbines is particularly challenging because landscape features such as hills and trees influence the wind speed and direction, introducing turbulence that can greatly alter the amount of energy produced. In addition, most forecasting models are designed to generate information about winds close to ground level rather than at about 200 feet, where turbine hubs are typically located.
