We have been told how
is impacting the Southwest with drier air, more intense droughts,
longer heatwaves and heavier downpours. But Texas hasn't just been on
the receiving end of climate change—it's become a national leader
in clean energy solutions, thanks to an abundance of wind energy. Most people don't realize how much of a
powerhouse Texas is when it comes to wind energy. Between its wide open
spaces and the Great Plains, Texas is perfectly
situated for steady, sustained winds that then can be used for energy
production.
1. Texas Holds the Record for All-Time Wind Energy Production
On February 18, Texas surpassed its own all-time record for wind energy production—which
was also the national record—providing 45 percent of the state's total
electricity needs on multiple occasions throughout the evening. At one
point, wind energy production provided more than 14 gigawatts of power,
or enough electricity to power roughly 234 million conventional light
bulbs. What's more incredible about Texas' new record is that wind power
production was fairly constant throughout the day, allowing it to
consistently meet around 40 percent of demand on the Texas grid.
2. The Benefits of Wind are Estimated at $3.3 Billion Annually
From savings relating to health and pollution to competition against other energy sources, the financial benefits from wind energy are not insignificant. According to the American Wind Energy Association, the $3.3 billion in annual savings
2. The Benefits of Wind are Estimated at $3.3 Billion Annually
From savings relating to health and pollution to competition against other energy sources, the financial benefits from wind energy are not insignificant. According to the American Wind Energy Association, the $3.3 billion in annual savings
3. Texas was the First U.S. State to Reach 10,000 Megawatts of Wind Power Generating Capacity
Not only has wind energy grown much faster in Texas than anywhere else in the U.S., it was also the first state to reach 10,000 megawatts of installed generating capacity in 2011. The majority of this wind energy was generated in western Texas and while there was demand for this power across the state, wind energy growth was so rapid that the infrastructure to transmit it across the state was unable to keep pace. So to ensure wind energy reached the more populated eastern areas of Texas, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) studied the areas with the most wind energy projects and potential and established a series of Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZs). PUCT then used these zones to plan a highly efficient series of more than 3,000 miles of transmission lines to reliably transfer renewable energy generated in western Texas to help power eastern markets. By December 2013, the project was largely completed, reducing the need to limit the amount of wind energy entering the grid. The bottom line: clean energy is now accessible to the entire state.
