Oregon State University Tackles Unpredictability of Wind Energy
Wind energy is an increasingly important component of our nation’s energy supply, and it is the most advanced renewable technology available other than hydropower. While showing enormous growth over this past decade, wind power is still limited by the high variability of the wind. The on-again, off-again nature of wind turbines, often with little warning, challenges utilities to manage their load and makes them reluctant to use wind as more than 15% of their overall energy resource.
The key to increasing wind’s share further is development of technologies to store wind energy and more evenly distribute it to the grid. Oregon State University recently received a $358,000 grant from the federal Bonneville Power Administration to study these technologies. Several technologies are being considered, including batteries, compressed air systems, and hydrogen fuel cells.
While all these technologies present both promise and challenges, the compressed air system is the most intriguing. Rather than delivering electricity directly to the grid, a spinning wind turbine would use its power to force air into a compressed chamber. The air would be let out later when energy is needed, spinning a turbine that generates electricity delivered to the grid.
Whatever technologies ultimately make it to the market, storage of wind energy is a crucial hurdle to increased use of wind energy in our nation’s energy supply, and important work on this subject is taking place in Oregon. This continues to cement Oregon’s position as a leader in renewable energy industries.
Post authored by David Petersen, partner practicing in the Sustainability and Real Estate and Land Use Groups.
