Report: New Transmission Lines Not the Only Way to Boost Wind Energy Production

Limited transmission capacity has been a major culprit in stalling or derailing wind energy production, but a new report from IDC Energy Insights says it's not always necessary to build new transmission lines when existing technologies can do the job. The report, "Business Strategy: Optimizing Transmission for Wind Integration," acknowledges that the best wind energy resources are often in the worst locations: far removed from load centers and in areas where transmission infrastructure is weak. But it cites a number of technologies that, if used in combination, can help bring wind and other renewables to the Smart Grid without the time and expense of building new transmission lines. The recommended technologies include:

·         Dynamic line rating

·         High-temperature, low-sag conductors

·         Voltage uprating

·         AC to DC conversion

·         Flexible AC transmission system devices

·         High voltage DC systems

·         Superconducting conductors

The IDC study report also identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and offers conclusions and recommendations for industry stakeholders who want to make the most of current and anticipated transmission technologies.

Quick Take: While the report concedes that these solutions won't solve problems related to transmission capacity constraints in every situation, it makes perfect sense to use them as much as possible.

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