United States and wind power
Wind Energy Statistics
2023
An analysis of the US Energy Information Administration's (EIA) 2022 year-end generation report[1] shows that the United States is estimated to add 8.4GW of wind capacity in 2023. The United States has a wind generation pipeline of 25.8GW to be installed by 2030. The top 5 states with the largest pipeline include:
| Rank | State | Proposed Capacity (GW) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 4.2 |
| 2 | Wyoming | 3.8 |
| 3 | New Mexico | 3.7 |
| 4 | Illinois | 2.2 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 1.6 |
2023 Trends
According to the EIA, Renewable Energy sources provided a quarter of the nation's electrical generation during the first half of 2023. The mix of renewables accounted for 25.11% of US electrical generation. Compared to 25.06% from the first half of 2022. Compared to the first 6 months of 2022, electrical generation by wind fell by 5.16% in the first half of 2023. Solar combined with wind accounted for 17.11% of generation, up from 16.48% a year earlier.[2]
By the end of 2023, global wind capacity is estimated to reach the 1TW capacity milestone. The 2TW milestone is expected to be passed by the end of the decade. Wind energy covers 5% of the global electricity demand, 17% of which is shared by the US.[3] The only offshore wind capacity expected to be connected in 2023 is the 130MW South Fork (Ørsted) wind farm.
2022
An analysis of the EIA's 2022 year-end generation report[1] shows that the US added 9.1GW of wind capacity in 2022, brining the total capacity for wind power in the US to 142GW. Of the 142GW of operating wind capacity, only 42MW are currently generated from offshore wind farms. The top 5 states with the largest operating solar capacity are:
| Rank | State | Installed Capacity (GW) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 39.3 |
| 2 | Iowa | 12.5 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 11.6 |
| 4 | Kansas | 8.3 |
| 5 | Illinois | 7 |
2022 Trends
According to Global Energy Monitor's Global Wind Power Tracker[4], which tracks utility scale wind projects of 10MW or larger, the United States is second in the world for operating wind capacity (17.6%) and sixth for prospective capacity (4.9%). China ranked first in the world for both categories (39.5% and 20.5% respectively). 78GW of wind capacity was connected around the world, increasing installed capacity to 907GW.[3]
2021
According to the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA), the 2021 United States' primary energy production by Renewable Energy sources totaled 13%, or 12.32 quadrillion BTU. 9.3% was produced by wind, and 4.8% from a combination of geothermal and solar. Renewable Energy production and consumption reached record highs in 2021 driven by record high solar and wind energy production.[5] Distributed wind energy can help the US reach the goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035 and has the potential to supply more than half of current US annual electricity consumption. However, the right conditions must exist. Distributed technology will need place-based solutions that support individuals, communities, and businesses transitioning to carbon free electricity.[6]
Offshore wind presents a unique opportunity for growth in the US wind energy sector. As of September 2022, only two offshore wind projects totaling 42 MW are currently operating in the US.[7] Global offshore wind generating capacity surpassed 50 GW in 2021. New projects commissioned in 2021 added 17,398 MW to the world's offshore wind supply.[7] The Biden administration plans to conduct up to seven offshore wind auctions by 2025.[8]
Wind Farm Profiles
| Name | Capacity (MW) | Status | Start Year | GEMwiki |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SunZia Wind[9] | 3500 | Pre-construction | 2026 | |
| Kitty Hawk wind farm | 3265 | Pre-construction | 2026 | Kitty Hawk wind farm |
| Community Offshore Wind[10] | 3000 | Pre-Construction | 2030 | |
| Leading Light Wind[11] | 2400 | Announced | TBD | |
| Rush Creek wind farm | 600 | Operating | 2018 | Rush Creek wind farm |
The largest operating wind farm in the US is the Rush Creek wind farm. Totaling 600MW, the Rush Creek wind farm came online in 2018. Owned by Xcel Energy, Rush Creek wind farm is located in Lincoln County, Colorado.
The largest proposed wind farm in the US is the SunZia Wind project. The project is anticipated to total 3500MW and come online in 2026. Being developed by Pattern Energy, SunZia wind will be located in Lincoln, Torrance, and San Miguel Counties in New Mexico.[9]
Targets and Barriers
Renewables Targets
60% of US electricity still comes from carbon-based fuels. For the Biden administration to hit its target of an electricity sector free of fossil fuels by 2035, the country has to double or triple the wind and solar power capacity it installs over the next few years and maintain a high level of deployment for a decade.[12] The Biden administration announced a goal of achieving 100% zero carbon electricity by 2035[13] and a goal of developing 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.[14] These goals can be achieved with a focus on offshore wind deployment, technological advancements, and coordinated action between federal and state agencies.
Offshore Wind Targets
In March 2021, the US set an offshore wind energy target of 30GW by 2030 and a pathway for reaching 110GW by 2050.[15] The Biden administration has called for 15GW of floating offshore wind capacity in the US by 2035.[16] Maryland quadrupled its offshore wind target from 2GW to 8.5GW.[17] The state of Main set a goal of 100% clean energy by 2024 and to procure 3GW of offshore wind generation by 2040. The development of the Gulf of Maine will consist almost entirely of floating wind turbines.[18]
Critical Metals
Many of the remaining untapped deposits of metals needed for the production of renewable energy technologies are located 35 miles near or within areas of cultural and environmental importance to Native American communities. These key metals include Nickel (97% of reserves near vulnerable communities), Copper (89%), Lithium (79%), and Cobalt (68%). The demand for Copper is anticipated to rise as much as 350% by 2050. Two mining projects facing strong opposition from Native American groups are the Lundin Moning's Eagle mine in Michigan and the Resolution copper mine in Arizona. Both located within the 35-mile radius of impact.[19]
Offshore Wind
As of the end of 2022, The US had 42MW of operating offshore wind capacity, and a pipeline of 52,687MW. The growth was driven by The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) new leasing activity. Global cumulative offshore wind capacity reached 59GW with 8.4GW deployed in 2022. The global offshore wind pipeline increased to 426GW, with 102GW expected to come from floating wind turbine technology. Nearly 22GW of offshore wind capacity is under construction worldwide.[15]
Deep water areas that require floating platforms are home to two-thirds of America's offshore wind energy potential along the west coast and in the Gulf of Maine. New goals, initiatives, and investments will need to focus on floating technologies and build on an all-of-government approach to developing offshore wind.[20] The Biden administration is hoping a 30% reduction in the cost of fixed-bottom offshore wind hill help the US deploy 30GW of offshore wind by 2030. The reduction would be aided by optimizing the design of wind turbine design and siting.[16]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Form EIA-860 detailed data with previous form data (EIA-860A/860B)". www.eia.gov. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ↑ Sean Wolfe (2023-08-25). "Renewables accounted for a quarter of US electrical generation during the first half of 2023". Renewable Energy World. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Balkan Green Energy News (2023-06-15). "Global Wind Day: Wind power capacity to pass 1 TW milestone by end-2023". Balkan Green Energy News. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
- ↑ "Global Wind Power Tracker - Global Energy Monitor". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ↑ "U.S. energy facts explained - consumption and production - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
- ↑ John Engel (2022-05-20). "U.S. has potential for 1,400 GW distributed wind energy, NREL finds". Renewable Energy World. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 John Engel (2022-09-01). "Biden backs offshore wind. But states are driving the market". Renewable Energy World. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
- ↑ David Wagman (2022-09-14). "Regulatory hurdles for offshore wind remain high even with the new clean energy law". Renewable Energy World. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "SunZia Wind - Pattern Energy". Pattern Energy. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ↑ "Home". communityoffshorewind.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ↑ "Leading Light Wind". Invenergy. 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Misinformation is derailing renewable energy projects across the United States". NPR.org. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
- ↑ Josh Gabbatiss (2022-06-07). "Windfarms raise incomes and house prices in rural US, study finds - Carbon Brief". Carbon Brief. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
- ↑ John Engel (2022-05-06). "California offshore wind would have no significant environmental impact: BOEM". Renewable Energy World. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Offshore Wind Market Report: 2023 Edition" (PDF). US Department of Energy. May 31, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 16.0 16.1 John Engel (2023-03-31). "How the White House plans to achieve its offshore wind goal". Renewable Energy World. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
- ↑ John Engel (2023-03-31). "Maryland ups offshore wind target to 8.5 GW by 2035". Renewable Energy World. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
- ↑ Whitlock, Robin (July 26, 2023). "Maine legislation brings floating offshore wind to US East Coast". Renewable Energy Magazine.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Mining Energy-Transition Metals: National Aims, Local Conflicts". Retrieved 2023-10-15.
- ↑ Viaintermedia.com. "Wind - Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Expand U.S. Offshore Wind Energy - Renewable Energy Magazine, at the heart of clean energy journalism". Renewable Energy Magazine, at the heart of clean energy journalism. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
