Leveraging Wind and Sunlight Resource Diversity to Meet Regional Clean Energy Goals

States across America are ratifying new statutory clean energy goals and strengthening existing statutory clean energy goals as a response both to climate change and the absence of relevant federal mandates. These policies, along with economic and consumer preference factors, are driving steady growth in wind and solar PV electricity generation in the United States and around the world. The six New England states each have aggressive clean energy goals (particularly with respect to electricity generation) and share a regional electric grid but rarely cooperate across state borders to meet their respective clean energy goals [1]. Previous studies (e.g. Kempton et al. 2010, Østergaard 2008) have analyzed how geographically diverse wind turbines can deliver more consistent electricity generation by leveraging diverse weather conditions [2][3]. Leveraging the diversity of weather resources across a region is thus one way to potentially reduce the amount of new electricity generation and storage infrastructure needed to meet aggregate electricity demands.

This study aims to assess wind and sunlight resource diversity across New England and identify opportunities for the six New England states to more efficiently meet their individual energy goals. Assessments of total infrastructure needs and electricity load satisfaction will be presented along with an examination of offshore wind farm expansion. We will utilize five years of hourly, 3km by 3km surface irradiance and 80m wind speed T+1 forecast data from the High Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model published by James et al. 2017 to guide infrastructure siting and model electricity generation performance [4]. Our initial analyses will create a platform from which subsequent, more detailed modeling and scenario examination for New England can take place, particularly in support of electric grid transmission planning work by ISO New England, distribution utilities, and related firms. Our work will also provide a template for other states and regions of North America to conduct similar energy policy-related assessments.

References:

[1] Gheorghiu, Iulia. “Controversial $1B Canada-US Transmission Line Gets Maine PUC Approval | Utility Dive.” Utility Dive, April 11, 2019. https://www.utilitydive.com/news/controversial-1b-canada-us-transmission-line-gets-nod-from-maine-puc-staff/551812/.

[2] Kempton, W., F. M. Pimenta, D. E. Veron, and B. A. Colle. “Electric Power from Offshore Wind via Synoptic-Scale Interconnection.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 107, no. 16 (April 20, 2010): 7240–45. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0909075107.

[3] Østergaard, Poul A. “Geographic Aggregation and Wind Power Output Variance in Denmark.” Energy 33, no. 9 (September 2008): 1453–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2008.04.016.

[4] James, Eric P., Stanley G. Benjamin, and Melinda Marquis. “A Unified High-Resolution Wind and Solar Dataset from a Rapidly Updating Numerical Weather Prediction Model.” Renewable Energy 102 (March 2017): 390–405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2016.10.059.