[LINK] SA 26% +> wind energy

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

<http://theconversation.edu.au/wind-power-why-is-south-australia-so-
successful-9706>


The integration of wind energy generation into the electricity grid in 
South Australia is a success story.

The gross statistic often quoted is the total electricity produced as a 
percentage of the supply. In the year to June 2012, the electricity 
generated by wind farms in SA amounted to 3,349 GWh, or 26% of the total 
supply. This was behind the 50% supplied by natural gas and ahead of 
coal’s 24%.

Possibly more significantly, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) 
has revised upwards the fraction of installed wind generation 
capacity “firmly available” to meet maximum demand; that is, the amount 
that can be counted on to be available globally at any time regardless of 
local intermittency. This amount is up from 5.0% to 8.3% for the summer 
period and from 3.5% to 7.5% for winter demand..

The final significant statistic is publicly announced projects for 
potential new electricity generation plants. Eighteen out of 24 are wind 
farms, with a total installed capacity of at least 2,215 MW and perhaps 
greater than 2,607 MW. This compares with three projects with a total 
capacity of 695 MW for gas plants, the next highest ..


 "Wind power: why is South Australia so successful?" Author John Boland 
Professor of Environmental Mathematics at University of South Australia
25th September 2012, 6.20am AEST
--

Cheers,
Stephen