Largest US wind project now online
S. Himmelstein | March 10, 2022
Western Spirit Wind comprises four wind farms in New Mexico. Source: Pattern Energy Group LP
Completed after 15 months of construction, the largest wind power facility in the U.S. is now operational. The four wind power systems comprising Western Spirit Wind and built by Pattern Energy Group LP in central New Mexico feature more than 1,050 MW of clean power capacity, sufficient to supply the electricity needs of 900,000 customers annually.
Western Spirit Wind will provide clean, renewable energy to California and New Mexico through long-term power purchase agreements with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, San José Clean Energy, East Bay Community Energy, California Choice Energy Authority and member cities, and international energy company Uniper Global Commodities, which provides power to local New Mexicans. The 155-mile 345 kV transmission line delivers wind power to the electric grid managed by Public Service Company of New Mexico.
The four wind power facilities utilize a total of 377 GE wind turbines ranging from 2.3 MW to 2.8 MW capacity. The turbines occupy various tower heights to optimize the wind capture at each site. The power generated by Western Spirit Wind has a complementary generation profile to solar and typically delivers power around the clock. The power produced will provide resource diversification to western energy markets to help meet customer demand during the crucial early evening hours when demand is high but otherwise available renewable energy supply is typically low.
Slowly, but surely, my idea for the world wide electrical grid is developing. There's always wind and sunlight somewhere on earth.
In reply to #1
We just need to have a secondary power source,,,
In reply to #2
Agreed, but PAPADOC doesn't like my answer! Solar & wind just won't have enough capacity to supply the desires of society. Not to mention the problems of NIMBY and intermittency. The secondary source will have to be nuclear, and I mean fast nuclear instead of the thermal nuclear that is mostly employed now. And nuclear is the safest industry we have. Remember that even ammonium nitrate (fertilizer!) makes huge explosions with the right conditions.
In reply to #3
And a bunch of exposed spent rods can kill every living thing. Oh, they have a great safety record because they can have only one BIG mistake.
With the world wide electrical grid, when an area needs more electricity, they just borrow from those on the other side of the world (or nearer, if possible). During night, they will use that power, anyway. So, build enough solar and wind for reserve all over the world. It's doable.
When the nuclear power gets to where they don't have any long term spent rods, then use it. It seems always to be just 4 years away.