Wind power in Kentucky has limited potential for development within the state since there are generally low wind speeds, though there are specific locations where it can be effective. The state has not passed renewable portfolio standard legislation and there are no commercial-scale wind turbines.[1][2] Kentucky may benefit from the development of wind power in Tennessee, an adjoining state with which it is collaborating, and from efforts by the Tennessee Valley Authority to both develop and import wind-generated electricity into the region.[3][4][5][6]
Kentucky New Energy Ventures[edit]
Established in 2008, the Kentucky New Energy Ventures was a state program to incentivize the development and commercialization of alternative fuel and renewable energy products, processes, and services. The program concluded in 2017 and has not been renewed by State. The funds could have been used to stimulate private investment in Kentucky-based technology companies with high growth potential. KNEV made seed capital grants of $30,000 and investments ranging from $250,000 to $750,000+.[7][8][9]
Mason County[edit]
In 2012 Mason County passed an ordinance which would prohibit the construction of large-scale wind farms., except in previously designated industrial zones, but would permit mid to small scale turbines for use at a principal site, but not for sending the energy across electric transmission lines. Efforts by Duke Energy and NextEra Energy to develop a wind farm at Mays Lick were discontinued.[10][11]
Tennessee Valley Authority[edit]
The Tennessee Valley Authority service area covers most of Tennessee, portions of Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky, and small sections of Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. As of 2013, the agency, in addition to the Buffalo Mountain Windfarm, had purchased agreements from power generated from wind farms outside its service area:
- 2012 - Enel Green Power, LLC - 201MW - Caney River Wind Farm, Elk County, Kansas.
- 2012- Invenergy - 200MW - Bishop Hill Wind Energy Center, Henry County, Illinois
- 2012- Invenergy - 200MW - California Ridge Wind Energy Center in Champaign County, Illinois
- 2012- NextEra Energy Resources - 150MW - White Oak Energy Center, McLean County, Illinois
- 2012- NextEra Energy Resources- 165MW - Cimarron Wind farm, Gray County, Kansas
A 2010 agreement with Iberdrola Renewables provides a potential 300MW future supply from Streator-Cayuga Ridge Wind Farm, Livingston County, Illinois [12]
Clean Line Energy LLC is proposing 700-mile power transmission line to bring wind energy from Oklahoma and to the Tennessee Valley. The TVA would import 1,750 megawatts, about half of the power that could be transmitted. Developers begun in 2007 to seek regulatory approval for the $2 billion project, but it's expected to take at least 2020 to acquire it before construction can begin.[13][14][15][16][17]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "State Renewable Portfolio Standards and Goals". National Association of State Legislatures. February 19, 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ "Kentucky Wind Energy Fact Sheet" (PDF). Southeast Wind Coalition. December 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ "Division of Renewable Energy - Wind Energy". ky.gov.
- ^ Kari Hall. "Why aren't there wind farms in KY?". wkyt.com.
- ^ "WINDExchange: Kentucky Wind Resource Map and Wind Potential Capacity". energy.gov.
- ^ "Study Outlines Barriers to Wind Energy in Kentucky". 89.3 WFPL.
- ^ "Kentucky.gov: - Press Release". Archived from the original on 2008-06-25.
- ^ Kentucky New Energy Ventures (PDF), Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation, pp. 3–4, archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-11-07
- ^ "New Energy Ventures (Kentucky) - Department of Energy". energy.gov.
- ^ "CleanEnergy Footprints". cleanenergy.org. 20 July 2011.
- ^ "Done deal: wind turbine ban approved". Ledger Independent.
- ^ "TVA: Energy Purchases from Wind Farms". tva.com.
- ^ Tony Russell (2 February 2015). "New Transmission Lines To Carry Oklahoma Wind Energy To Tennessee - NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com -". newson6.com.
- ^ "TVA may import wind power from Texas, Oklahoma". timesfreepress.com. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "TVA may import wind power from Texas, Oklahoma". timesfreepress.com.
- ^ "Tennessee grants approval for 3.5GW wind transmission". windpowermonthly.com.
- ^ "Tennessee Regulatory Authority approves utility status for Plains and Eastern Clean Line - Memphis Business Journal". Memphis Business Journal. 13 January 2015.
External links[edit]
| Wind power by state |
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| Large wind farms | ||
| Offshore wind farms |
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| Wind power companies | ||
