Issue #100: August 25–September 5, 2014 The WINDExchange Newsletter is issued by the Wind Program twice a month to inform program partners and interested individuals of wind energy events, webinars, financial opportunities, new publications, state success stories, and other wind-related activities. If you have news items and success stories to share, please submit them to Ruth Baranowski. News Webinars Events News DOE Publishes 2013 Wind Market Reports
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) 2013 Wind Technologies Market Report provides a comprehensive overview of 2013 trends in the U.S. wind industry and wind power market. DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory draws from a variety of data sources and covers a broad range of topics, including: - Wind project installation trends
- Wind industry developments
- Domestic and imported content of wind turbines
- Wind technology developments and trends
- Wind project performance trends
- Wind turbine prices and installed wind project costs
- Wind power purchase agreement prices
- Comparing the price of wind energy to wholesale electricity and natural gas prices
- Integration, transmission, and policy developments
- Future outlook for the sector.
While the report documents modest industry growth in 2013, a key finding from the report is that wind energy pricing is at an all-time low. The prices offered by wind projects to utility purchasers averaged just $25 per megawatt-hour for projects negotiating contracts in 2013, spurring demand for wind energy. Wind energy now meets nearly 4.5% of the nation's electricity demand. The full report, a presentation slide deck that summarizes the report, and an Excel workbook that contains much of the data presented in the report are available as free downloads. According to the 2013 Distributed Wind Market Report, authored by DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, turbines used in distributed applications cumulatively produce 842 megawatts (MW), enough electricity to power 120,000 homes. In 2013, Texas, Minnesota, and Iowa retained their lead as the top three states with the most distributed wind capacity since 2003. DOE Issues Request for Information for Distributed Wind Energy Systems
The DOE Wind Program seeks feedback from the wind industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders regarding the department's new perspective on distributed wind research and development focus areas to inform future activities and priorities. Responses to this Request for Information are due by September 25, 2014. Video: Shaping Tomorrow's Wind Energy Leaders
Watch the latest DOE video featuring highlights from the Collegiate Wind Competition, held in May in Las Vegas, and learn how the event is helping to shape future clean energy leaders. BOEM Identifies Three Wind Energy Areas Off the North Carolina Coast
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced that it is proceeding with competitive commercial wind energy leasing offshore North Carolina, having defined three Wind Energy Areas (WEAs): Kitty Hawk (approximately 122,405 acres), Wilmington West (approximately 51,595 acres), and Wilmington East (approximately 133,590 acres). All three WEAs will be considered for leasing and approval of Site Assessment Plans as the proposed action under the National Environmental Policy Act. The WEAs are smaller than the areas originally proposed; according to BOEM officials, they "worked closely with federal, state, local, and industry stakeholders to avoid existing high-use and sensitive resource areas while maximizing areas for offshore wind development." BOEM Auctions 80,000 Acres Off the Maryland Coast for Wind Energy Development
In other offshore wind news, BOEM held the nation's third competitive lease sale for renewable energy in federal waters, which offered nearly 80,000 acres off the coast of Maryland for potential wind energy development. BOEM auctioned the Maryland WEA as two leases, the North Lease Area (32,737 acres) and the South Lease Area (46,970 acres). The provisional winner of the lease sale is US Wind Inc. When fully built, this WEA could generate enough energy to power about 300,000 homes. Audio Interview: REAP Funding Update, Part 2
In conjunction with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, WINDExchange produced a second audio interview with Ron Omann, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Energy Coordinator. During the interview, Omann describes a successful Minnesota wind project funded by the Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) and provides some tips for interested applicants. Webinars International Energy Agency Wind Webinar: Bats and Wind Energy
September 3, 2014, 10:30 a.m. ET
Join the first of a quarterly webinar series developed as part of WREN (Working Together to Resolve Environmental Effects of Wind Energy), which is a cooperative research initiative of the International Energy Agency's wind group. This webinar series supports WREN's goal to facilitate international collaboration that advances global understanding of environmental effects of offshore and land-based wind energy development. Inaugural speakers are Cris Hein from the United States, who will present Strategies to Reduce Bat Fatalities at Wind Energy Facilities, and Oliver Behr from Germany, who will present Measuring and Reducing the Number of Bat Fatalities at Wind Turbines in Europe. Each presentation will last 20 minutes, followed by Q&A. Log-in information is below. Please note that the only way to access the audio portion of this webinar is by calling in. Audio access:
877-951-7311
Participant passcode: 4192129 Web access:
https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW8398971&p=4192129&t=c Regional Transmission Webinar Series: Great Plains and Upper Midwest
September 4, 2014, 3 p.m. ET
Join Americans for a Clean Energy Grid for the final regional webinar in a series of transmission webinars. Discussion will focus on the political, economic, and environmental issues surrounding transmission, such as siting, planning, and cost allocation. Speakers are Erin Stojan-Ruccolo, Director of Electricity Markets, Fresh Energy; Jesse Moser, manager of strategic infrastructure, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO); and Will Kaul, vice president of transmission, Great River Energy. WINDExchange September Webinar: Wind Energy and Eagles: The Problem, the Permit, and the Path Forward
September 17, 2014, 3 p.m. ET
Save the date for this free webinar. DOE Wind Energy Deployment Manager Patrick Gilman will moderate the webinar, and speakers will be announced soon. Advance registration is not required. Log-in information is below. Please note that the only way to access the audio portion of this webinar is by calling in. Audio access:
888-461-9425
Participant passcode: 3869930 Web access:
https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=RW3109386&p=3869930&t=c Events Massachusetts Wind Working Group Meeting
Massachusetts—September 10, 2014
Sustainable Energy Advantage, LLC (SEA) will give a presentation on the new Northeast Wind Resource Center, partially funded by DOE and administered by the Clean Energy Group. The center aims to "provide credible information, targeted outreach, and direct engagement with stakeholders and decision-makers about wind energy deployment in the Northeast." At the meeting, SEA will provide an overview of the project and solicit input on the topics of focus for the next 3 years, as well as discuss how stakeholders wish to participate. The meeting will also feature a discussion on the future of the Wind Working Group. Attendees should RSVP to lally@ecs.umass.edu. All previous meeting presentations can be found on the Working Group's website. 2014 National Summit on RPS
Washington, D.C.—September 22–23, 2014
Funded by DOE and the Energy Foundation and hosted by the Clean Energy States Alliance, the Summit explores developments and trends related to state renewable portfolio standards (RPSs) and provides opportunities to network with people across the country who are most engaged in implementing and analyzing state RPSs. Summit topics include how the Environmental Protection Agency's carbon regulations may impact state RPSs; different states' methodologies for determining the costs of an RPS; the status of Commerce Clause cases with potential impacts on RPSs; and the intersection among RPSs, net metering, and other solar policies. AWEA State Wind Energy Forum—Colorado
Denver, Colorado—October 1, 2014
With more than 2,300 MW of installed wind capacity, Colorado is on the forefront of wind energy expansion. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) will host this forum. Explore the benefits of and challenges in Colorado's current wind industry, and learn what the future holds. Meet with Colorado's policy, industry, and government leaders and interact with wind industry experts on national, regional, and state wind markets. Learn about wind energy transmission, economics, and integration; the DOE Wind Vision and its impact on Colorado; and wind energy's positive impacts on local economic development. UVIG Fall O&M User Group Meeting
San Antonio, Texas—October 1–2, 2014
Join the Utility Variable-Generation Integration Group (UVIG) for a plenary session on October 1 focusing on North American Electric Reliability Corporation compliance for wind and solar plant operators. Following the session and on October 2, attend turbine original equipment manufacturer or topic-specific roundtables for UVIG member owner/operators. AWEA Offshore WINDPOWER Conference and Exhibition
Atlantic City, New Jersey—October 7–8, 2014
2014 has become a turning point for the U.S. offshore wind energy industry. With projects in advanced stages of development, lease auctions in several states, and additional government funding for advanced technology demonstration projects, the U.S. offshore wind energy industry is moving forward. Join the AWEA Offshore WINDPOWER Group on LinkedIn to connect with other offshore wind energy professionals and attendees of past AWEA Offshore WINDPOWER conferences and discuss critical topics before this year's event. UVIG Fall Technical Workshop
San Antonio, Texas—October 14–17, 2014
The UVIG Fall Technical Workshop will provide attendees with an updated perspective on the status of wind and solar integration and interconnection to utility systems in the United States and other countries. The workshop will be preceded by meetings of the UVIG User Groups focusing on variable generation operating impacts, market operation and transmission planning, variable generation modeling and interconnection, and distributed generation. Following the conclusion of the Fall Technical Workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to take part in an optional technical tour. Distributed Wind All-State Policy Summit and SMART Wind Launch
Albany, New York—October 15–16, 2014
Manufacturing representatives, grant administrators from state and federal agencies, and political operatives with small wind experience will host Q&A panels and lead hands-on sessions on the latest policy developments in the distributed wind industry. On October 16, immediately following the Summit, the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA) will host the inaugural Strategies for Manufacturers Advancing Research and Technology (SMART) Wind Consortium meeting. The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded DWEA, supported by eFormative Options and Wind Advisors Team, a 2-year grant to form a consortium of distributed wind energy equipment manufacturers, suppliers, customers, and university researchers and develop a roadmap to identify common manufacturing gaps, prioritize actions to close these gaps, and foster rapid transfer of solutions. AWEA Wind Energy Finance and Investment Seminar
New York, New York—October 20–21, 2014
Come to New York City this fall to meet and forge relationships with banking and financial leaders, learn what they're looking for in wind energy investments, and speak with representatives who are working on innovative wind energy deals. 7th Annual Nebraska Wind and Solar Conference
La Vista, Nebraska—October 29–30, 2014
Since 2008, volunteers from farmer and rancher organizations, state agencies, public power utilities, and higher education professionals have shaped this educational networking conference and exhibition to advance Nebraska's wind and solar industry. DOE's Principal Deputy (Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis) and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate (Office of International Affairs) Jonathon Pershing is the featured luncheon speaker on Wednesday. 5th Annual Island Energy Conference
Portland, Maine—November 7–8, 2014
With the support of WINDExchange, the Islanded Grid Regional Resource Center will host an East Coast regional meeting in conjunction with the 5th Annual Island Energy Conference. Island residents and grid operators, island energy experts, and representatives from resource agencies are invited to participate in panel presentations, project planning sessions, networking, and an island field trip. Topics will include innovation on diesel-powered islands, island community-developer relations in offshore wind projects, funding opportunities, and many other issues related to efficiency and renewable energy projects on islands and islanded grids. Registration will open on October 1, 2014. AWEA State Wind Energy Forum—Michigan
Lansing, Michigan—November 10, 2014
Michigan has 988 MW of installed wind capacity, representing close to $2 billion in investment, and officials are considering plans and a policy framework for additional capacity in the near future. Michigan's 39 manufacturing facilities are actively producing components for wind turbines that are being assembled and installed across the country. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), in collaboration with Michigan partners and colleagues, will host a wind forum to explore the benefits and challenges of Michigan's current and future wind industry. The event will feature Michigan policy, industry, and government leaders, as well as experts on national, regional, and state wind markets; transmission; permitting; wind integration into the grid; local economic development; and water and air impacts. Attendees will hear from wind stakeholders, including private and public utilities, county commissioners, agricultural organizations, wind developers and manufacturers. SMART Wind Mechanical Systems Subgroup Meeting
Denver, Colorado—November 12–14, 2014
Funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology, the SMART Wind Consortium will connect more than 80 collaborators to form consensus on near-term and mid-term plans needed to increase cost competitiveness of U.S. distributed wind manufacturers through the use of advanced manufacturing techniques. The Distributed Wind Energy Association, supported by eFormative Options and Wind Advisors Team, is conducting face-to-face meetings and conference calls with members of four consortia subgroups: mechanical subsystems, support structures, electrical subsystems, and composite subsystems. The goal of these meetings is to become acquainted with the interested stakeholders and to brainstorm possible cost-reducing strategies that will lead to evolutionary product and manufacturing improvements. Women of Wind Energy Leadership Forum
San Diego, California—November 18, 2014
The 2014 Women of Wind Energy Leadership Forum combines professional development with tools to advance renewable energy. Join professionals from across the country to discuss current renewable energy trends, policy issues, and communication strategies while gaining valuable tools to enhance your career and build your companies and organizations. Please visit the WINDExchange calendar to learn about more upcoming events. |
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