Renewable Energy: 35% Wind and Solar Possible by 2017 — IF Utilities Change Their Ways

A new study by DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) says it is "operationally possible" to integrate renewable energy sources to the tune of 30% wind and 5% solar into the electric grid by 2017 — if utilities greatly increase the coordination of their operations over wider geographic areas and make other changes in how the grid is managed. The report, The Western Wind and Solar Integration Study, contends that goal is possible without extensive additional infrastructure and that existing transmission capacity can be used more efficiently. The study was conducted with assistance from the WestConnect group of utilities in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Quick Take: The study results are fairly consistent with earlier findings and a current companion study in the eastern U.S. This should be a very busy year for wind and solar Smart Grid technologies. We're building massive wind farms as fast as we can and, according to research company SBI Energy, solar is expected to bounce back with a vengeance in 2010 as markets such as the U.S., China and Germany continue to heat up.

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