NPPD integrates wind power from two wind energy facilities and is also planning for additional renewable energy capacity.
The Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) provides wholesale power and retail service across the state, integrating approximately 140 MW of wind power. The utility is proactively committed to achieving 10% (533 MW) of its energy supply for native load from renewable resources by 2020--through NPPD-owned as well as privately developed generation.
WindLogics has worked with NPPD on both fronts. To support private wind plant development, WindLogics and its team members conducted a stepwise analysis of potential sites, evaluating them in terms of wind power potential, environmental constraints and accessibility to transmission. The outcome of the project provided an objective, quantified short-list of project development sites for further development consideration. NPPD subsequently installed met towers on the short-list of development sites as a key component of their internal project development plan.
In addition, WindLogics provides hour- and day-ahead forecasts for NPPD’s 59.4-MW Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility, as well as an additional 80 MW of purchased wind power. NPPD uses these wind energy forecasts to schedule their power and to maintain system reliability.