DOE report "20% Wind Energy by 2030" discusses what needs to be done to get there by 2030 [View All]

Wind Energy Could Produce 20 Percent of U.S. Electricity By 2030

WASHINGTON, DC - The D.O.E. (DOE) today released a first-of-its kind report that examines the technical feasibility of harnessing wind power to provide up to 20 percent of the nation's total electricity needs by 2030. Entitled "20 Percent Wind Energy by 2030", the report identifies requirements to achieve this goal including reducing the cost of wind technologies, citing new transmission infrastructure, and enhancing domestic manufacturing capability.

DOE summary of report:
20% Wind Energy by 2030: Increasing Wind Energy's Contribution to U.S. Electricity Supply


20% Wind Energy by 2030: Increasing Wind Energy's Contribution to U.S. Electricity Supply

Overview

In 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a report that examines the technical feasibility of using wind energy to generate 20% of the nation's electricity demand by 2030. The report, "20% Wind Energy by 2030: Increasing Wind Energy's Contribution to U.S. Electricity Supply," includes contributions from DOE and its national laboratories, the wind industry, electric utilities, and other groups. The report examines the costs, major impacts, and challenges associated with producing 20% wind energy or 300 GW of wind generating capacity by 2030.

The report's conclusions include:

1. Reaching 20% wind energy will require enhanced transmission infrastructure, streamlined siting and permitting regimes, improved reliability and operability of wind systems, and increased U.S. wind manufacturing capacity.

2. Achieving 20% wind energy will require the number of turbine installations to increase from approximately 2000 per year in 2006 to almost 7000 per year in 2017.

3. Integrating 20% wind energy into the grid can be done reliably for less than 0.5 cents per kWh.

4. Achieving 20 percent wind energy is not limited by the availability of raw materials.

5. Addressing transmission challenges such as siting and cost allocation of new transmission lines to access the Nation's best wind resources will be required to achieve 20% wind energy.

Full report here:

20% Wind Energy by 2030 Increasing Wind Energy’s Contribution to U.S. Electricity Supply