The "perfect storm" for distributed wind markets. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Foster, Nikolas; Orrell, Alice; Homer, Juliet; Tagestad, Jerry
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 145(2020)
• Page Start: 1033
• Page End: 1039
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Distributed wind -- Small wind -- Markets -- Policy incentives -- State incentives -- Renewable energy policy; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.05.058
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: Over 1 GW of distributed wind has been installed across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Yet the number of installations varies greatly by state, even when wind resources are similar. This article presents the results of a county-by-county study of markets for distributed wind in the contiguous United States that culminates with a figure that represents the relative strength of markets across the United States based on a composite assessment of 1)policy environments, including incentives, and interconnection, net metering, and permitting policies; 2)electricity prices, and 3)wind resources . The number of megawatts of installed distributed wind is superimposed on the combined figure, in most cases confirming the influence of these market factors. This analysis identified Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maine, eastern Colorado, western Kansas, and northern New Mexico as areas that have untapped economic distributed wind potential. Specific policy, electricity price, and wind resource examples are provided from Iowa, New York, Washington, Oregon, and California. Highlights: A county-by-county geographic information system map of the U.S. showing important distributed wind market factors. Summary of areas with potential additional development opportunities. Examples from select states of policy, electricity rates, and wind resource market factors.