Wind Energy Consumption

Date posted: 04/09/2009

Wind energy's most important environmental benefit is its lack of pollutants and greenhouse gas air emissions. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), other methods of electricity generation (coal, oil, and natural gas) produced 2.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide, 9.5 million tons of sulfur dioxide, and 3.8 million tons of nitrogen oxides in 2006 (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.

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 Farm and

Ridgecrest near Peetz. 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 U.S. Department of Energy, the average American household uses about 11,000 kWh per year. The DOE has a list of many common household appliances and their corresponding typical wattage use.

What this chart shows: Wind Energy Generated at the Medicine Bow Wind Project Site

Data Source: Platte River Power Authority

See data table

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 at the site in the number of wind turbines, from 2 in 1999 to 10 in 2002. Between 1999 through 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, based on the average consumption of 11,000 kWh per year.

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. Stronger and more frequent winds result in more energy generation. Future variations in power generation will likely be due to similar fluctuations in average wind speed.

In 2005 Platte River Power Authority leased land to Clipper Windpower for a 2.5 MW prototype turbine, the Liberty I, and all power produced by the Liberty I is purchased by Platte River Power Authority. Because the Liberty I is a prototype, there were many maintenance and performance issues that reduced the amount of power produced in 2007. Those issues have since been resolved and the Liberty I produced at greater levels in 2008.

What this chart shows: Wind Energy Purchased in Fort Collins

Data Source: Platte River Power Authority

See data table

What these data tell us:

From 1999 to 2004, wind energy consumption in Fort Collins increased by about 88.2 million kWh, or 2,110%. This increase is equivalent to the yearly electricity usage of approximately 8,072 average U.S. households. The increase is due to an increase in the number of wind turbines at the Medicine Bow Wind Project, an increase in the number of commercial and residential customers purchasing wind energy, and an energy policy adopted by the City of Fort Collins in 2003.

Colorado State University (CSU) implemented a wind power program in 2004 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. Then in 2007, CSU announced plans to convert its entire Fort Collins campus energy use to 100 percent wind power.

What this chart shows: Wind Energy Purchased in Loveland

Data Source: Platte River Power Authority

See data table

What these data tell us:

From 1999 to 2008, wind energy consumption in Loveland increased by about 5,715,000 kWh, or 2,005%. This increase represents the yearly electricity usage of approximately 519 average United States households. The largest increase in renewable energy took place between 2005 and 2008 and was due, according to City of Loveland Water & Power Department staff, to a dedicated full-time conservation marketing employee.

The City of Loveland's GreenSwitch program is 100% voluntary and costs an additional $1.50 per 100 kWh block. The average American household consumes 11,000 kWh per year.

Additional Information:

On Compass -

• Air Quality
• Electricity Consumption
• Population Size & Growth
• Visibility

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 Fort Collins 2009 Energy Policy: Contains strategic planning guidance to the City's utility department including the reduction of the City's carbon footprint
• City of Loveland GreenSwitch Program: Contains general and subscription information for the purchase wind power in Loveland
• Colorado State University: Information on Sustainability in Facilities Management
• Fort Collins Wind Power Commercial Subscribers: Businesses in Fort Collins that have purchased wind power
• Green-e: Information on the nation's leading certification program for renewable energy
• 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) - Green Power: Contains general and subscription information about the purchase of green power, including wind, from PVREA
• Western Area Power Administration
• Western Resource Advocates: Balanced Energy Plan (2004)
• Xcel Energy Windsource Program: Contains general and subscription information about the purchase of wind power from Xcel Energy

Data Tables:

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
2006	22,380,959
2007	17,476,067
2008	26,773,358

See chart

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
2006	45,599,817
2007	93,000,000
2008	93,000,000

See chart

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
2006	1,772,916
2007	4,700,000
2008	6,000,000

See chart

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