Wind Energy Consumption
Date posted: 08/17/2006
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Wind energy's most important environmental benefit is its lack of pollutants and greenhouse gas air emissions. According to the Energy Information Administration's (EIA), other methods of electricity generation (coal, oil, and natural gas) produced 2.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide, 10.3 million tons of sulfur dioxide, and 3.9 million tons of nitrogen oxides in 2004 alone (see links for more information on these gases). In contrast, wind energy generation produces 0 pounds of pollutants and greenhouse gases, and is a renewable resource. Click here and scroll down to calculate the environmental benefits of switching to wind energy.
Wind energy is generated through wind farms, which are systems of turbines powered by natural air movements. Area wind farms include the Platte River Power Authority's Medicine Bow Wind Project, and Xcel Energy's Ponnequin Wind Facility and Peetz Table Wind Power Plant. When wind energy is generated, it becomes part of the total power grid. As such, energy suppliers cannot ensure that all the electricity used by wind energy customers is wind-generated. However, utility companies are required to match the electricity use of wind energy customers by producing a corresponding amount of wind-generated electricity.
Utility suppliers of wind energy in Larimer County include:
- City of Fort Collins Utilities - Light and Power
- City of Loveland Water and Power Department
- Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association
- Town of Estes Park Light and Power Department
- Xcel Energy
Electricity is usually measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh represents the amount of energy needed by a 1000-Watt device (e.g. clothes-iron, microwave oven) to operate for one hour. Leaving a 100-Watt lightbulb on for 10 hours consumes 1 kWh of energy. According to the Organization of American States' Office of Sustainable Development, the average American household uses about 10,000 kWh yearly. Click here to determine the wattage of many common household appliances.
What this chart shows: Wind Energy Generated at the Medicine Bow Wind Project Site
Data Source: Platte River Power Authority
What these data tell us:
Wind energy generation at the Medicine Bow Wind Project increased yearly from 1999 through 2002. This was due to the increase in the number of wind turbines (from 2 in 1999 to 10 in 2002) at the site. From 1999 to 2002, the amount of electricity generated at the Medicine Bow Wind Project Site increased by about 13 million kWh (240%). This increase is equivalent to the yearly electricity needs of approximately 1,300 average U.S. households.From 2002 to 2003, power generated at Medicine Bow increased by about 2 million kWh (13%). This increase was mainly due to differences in average annual wind speeds. In 2001, the average annual wind speed at Medicine Bow was 19.0 miles per hour; in 2002, the average annual wind speed was 20.9 miles per hour, almost 11% faster. More wind results in more energy generation. Future variations in power generation will likely be due to similar fluctuations in average wind speed.
For an explanation of Platte River Power Authority's data gathering process, click here.
What this chart shows: Wind Energy Purchased in Fort Collins
Data Source: City of Fort Collins Utilities - Light and Power Department
What these data tell us:
From 1999 to 2004, wind energy consumption in Fort Collins increased by about 27.2 million kWh, or 646%. This increase is equivalent to the yearly electricity usage of approximately 2,720 average U.S. households. The increase is due to two factors: an increase in the number of wind turbines at the Medicine Bow Wind Project, and an increase in the number of commercial and residential customers purchasing wind energy.In 2004, Colorado State University implemented a wind power program through which students can purchase wind energy for their dorm room or university apartment. This program likely contributed to the increase in new wind energy customers.
What this chart shows: Wind Energy Purchased in Loveland
Data Source: City of Loveland Water and Power Department
What these data tell us:
From 1999 to 2005, wind energy consumption in Loveland increased by about 733,812 kWh, or 258%. This increase represents the yearly electricity usage of approximately 65 average United States households. It is partially a result of increases in both the number of wind turbines at the Medicine Bow Wind Project and the number of commercial and residential customers purchasing wind energy.Additional Information:
On Compass -
Outside Compass -
- American Wind Energy Association: A national trade association that represents wind power plant developers, wind turbine manufacturers, utilities, consultants, insurers, financiers, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry.
- City of Estes Park Wind Power: Contains general and subscription information for the purchase of wind power in Estes Park
- City of Fort Collins Utilities Wind Power Program: Contains general and subscription information for the purchase of wind power in Fort Collins
- City of Loveland Wind Energy Premium Program: Contains general and subscription information for the purchase wind power in Loveland
- Clean Energy for Colorado - Join the Parade: List of governments and businesses in the Front Range area that are wind power subscribers
- Fort Collins Wind Power Commercial Subscribers: Businesses in Fort Collins that have purchased wind power
- Land and Water Fund of the Rockies: Information about a grassroots, community-based education and outreach campaign to raise awareness of the environmental impacts of electricity use and encourage a more sustainable alternative, wind power
- Platte River Power Authority - Medicine Bow Wind Project: Information on project history, turbine technical specifications, and site environmental impact studies
- Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association (PVREA) - Wind Power: Contains general and subscription information about the purchase of wind power from PVREA
- Xcel Energy - Peetz Table Wind Power Plant: Information on project history and turbine technical specifications
- Xcel Energy - Ponnequin Wind Facility: Information on project history and turbine technical specifications
- Xcel Energy Windsource Program: Contains general and subscription information about the purchase of wind power from Xcel Energy
Wind Energy Generated at the Medicine Bow Wind Project Site
|
Year |
Kilowatt-hours (kWh) Generated |
|
1998 |
1,877,053 |
|
1999 |
5,709,803 |
|
2000 |
15,451,549 |
|
2001 |
16,591,908 |
|
2002 |
19,451,933 |
|
2003 |
16,959,179 |
|
2004 |
17,390,458 |
|
2005 |
17,559,060 |
Wind Energy Purchased in Fort Collins
|
Year |
Kilowatt-hours (kWh) Purchased |
|
1999 |
4,208,239 |
|
2000 |
8,715,444 |
|
2001 |
9,372,945 |
|
2002 |
10,741,639 |
|
2003 |
12,878,000 |
|
2004 |
31,400,000 |
|
2005 |
31,499,404 |
Wind Energy Purchased in Loveland
|
Year |
Kilowatt-hours (kWh) Purchased |
|
1999 |
285,000 |
|
2000 |
586,800 |
|
2001 |
629,800 |
|
2002 |
773,200 |
|
2003 |
903,531 |
|
2004 |
933,900 |
|
2005 |
1,018,812 |