Highe Cost Infrastructure Impacts Wind Generation

As we gain new information with the passage of time, we often learn that our best laid plans are more costly than anticipated. Such seems to be the case in Texas according to a new study of the costs of building high-capacity wind generation infrastructure within the state.

Texas study cites high cost of harnessing wind

Wind Development Continues to Challenge Power Grid

As I traveled across Texas this week I was amazed at the dramatic increase in the number of wind generators. The stretch from north of Snyder, Texas, to Abilene, Texas, is becoming one continuous wind power generating field. The grid still is not able to fully utilize all of that power -- and there is more being built -- especially futher north into the Texas Panhandle and on up through the High Plains of Kansas and Nebraska. The article linked below discusses some of the grid issues.

Wind development seen biggest challenge for power grid

Wind Power on the Reservation

I think it's wonderful that the Indian tribes want to get in on the wind power boom. The biggest problem they face is that most reservation lands are far from population centers where the power is needed. Infrastructure to transport that power into the grids where it can be utilized will be an issue.

Along with their bid for wind power, they might consider trying to attract industry that can utilize that power. New industry would provide badly needed jobs for the reservations. Instead of "take the power to industry" they might look at "bring industry to the power."

Indian Tribes See Profit in Harnessing the Wind for Power

Infrastructure Issues in New York and Pickens "Plan"

The article mentions T. Boone Pickens being "ahead" of other wind development companies in his efforts to "piggyback" a power transmission line on his water right-of-way (which by the way is likely in trouble). In spite of his $56 million PR campaign which involves robbing the Texas Panhandle of its precious water resources in order to invoke eminent domain takings of private property so that he can build his electric power lines, the state of Texas is far ahead of him with its $5.4 billion CREZ efforts to tie the ERCOT grid into the wind power generated in the Panhandle. Pickens is spending the money on the PR (the linked article below being some of the fruits of that campaign) so he can make 100's of millions off of the people of Texas by using legal loopholes against them.

Wind Energy Bumps Into Power Grid’s Limits

When the builders of the Maple Ridge Wind farm spent $320 million to put nearly 200 wind turbines in upstate New York, the idea was to get paid for producing electricity. But at times, regional electric lines have been so congested that...(complete article here).

New Oil Terminal on Texas Coast

New oil infrastructure is necessary due to the significant aging of existing facilities. With the expansion of refineries on the Texas Coast, this new oil terminal will facilitate offloading tankers to supply those refineries.

Platform may take 20 percent of oil imports

Project is expected to cost $1.8 billion

By John Porretto
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, August 19, 2008

HOUSTON — An oil terminal and pipeline network expected to be built off the Texas Gulf Coast and open in about two years would be capable of handling nearly 20 percent of the nation's daily imported oil.

Demand from expanding refineries along the coast, from Freeport to Port Arthur, is driving the...(complete article here).

Lower Gas, Fewer Miles, No Road Funds

More unintended consequences of current U.S. Energy Policy -- or lack thereof.

Drop in Miles Driven Is Depleting Highway Fund; Loan From Mass Transit Is Urged

By MATTHEW L. WALD
Published: July 29, 2008

WASHINGTON — Gasoline tax revenue is falling so fast that the federal government may not be able to meet its commitments to states for road projects already under way, the secretary of transportation said Monday.

The secretary, Mary E. Peters, said the short-term solution would be for...(complete article here).

Wind Infrastructure Approval in Texas

Regulatory approval may have been the easy part. Now the battle will be engaged to determine the routes. That will also likely include eminent domain battles with landowners who don't wish to have their property cut by new transmission lines. It also may generate battles with a few environmental groups because some of those lines could cross key wildlife habitat.

The Panhandle Wind and Wildlife Conference in Amarillo on August 8 and 9 will be an important venue for discussing many of the issues surrounding wind energy and wildlife. It is expected to draw interested persons from a very wide area.

Texas Approves a $4.93 Billion Wind-Power Project

By KATE GALBRAITH
Published: July 19, 2008

Texas regulators have approved a $4.93 billion wind-power transmission project, providing a major lift to the development of wind energy in the state.

The planned web of transmission lines will carry electricity from remote western parts of the state to major population centers like Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. The lines can handle 18,500 megawatts of power, enough for 3.7 million homes on a hot day when air-conditioners are running.

The project will...(complete article here).

Charging for Wind Infrastructure

OK. So, the majority of Texans are willing to pay an extra $4/month for new transmission infrastructure. Let me ask you -- when was the last time anyone felt like they had a say in what was charged on their electric bill? We just get mad and pay it anyway.

Poll: Majority of Texans open to $4 charge for wind farms

By JANET ELLIOTT
Copyright 2008
Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — A majority of Texans would be willing to pay $4 more on their monthly electric bills to create a network of power lines from wind farms, according to a recent poll.

The survey, commissioned by a group of wind generation companies, is being released in advance of state utility regulators' debate over how much new transmission to require for wind-generated electricity. The Public Utility Commission is...(complete article here).

India's Agriculture Investment Environment

The USDA's Economic Research Service has released a new economic information bulletin on the agricultural investment environment in India. Infrastructure and effective market mechanisms continue to be weaknesses in the Indian agricultural economy contributing to their inability to feed themselves in spite of tremendous potential.


The Environment for Agricultural and Agribusiness Investment in India

The Growing Numbers of Hungry People

Below is linked a thoughtful piece from the FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf, regarding the hunger crisis -- particularly in Africa. He clearly points to the need of addressing infrastructure needs rather than purely food aid in order to resolve the crisis.


About 50 million more hungry people in 2007

Hunger on the rise due to soaring food prices

3 July 2008, Rome/Brussels - The number of hungry people increased by about 50 million in 2007 as a result of high food prices, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf said today addressing a conference at the European Parliament in Brussels.

“Poor countries are...(complete article here).

For a related report from the USDA click here.

Fill 'er Up -- With Hydrogen

Hydrogen fueled cars need infrastructure before they will be practical.

U.S. hydrogen maker sees car filling stations soon

By Bernie Woodall

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - One of the main obstacles to the development of hydrogen as a fuel for cars is the lack of a system of fueling stations.

Barney Rush thinks...(complete article here).

African Agriculture Needs New Approach

The issue is infrastructure and good government. Until those issues are resolved there will continue to be a food crisis in parts of Africa.

Africa: Global Food Crisis Demands New Approach to Agriculture

A Hydrogen Infrastructure

With a gasoline filling station on virtually every corner, it is easy to forget how the situation was when the first internal combustion engine vehicles came into being. We're there again with the advent of new energy technologies. If you drive a hydrogen fuel-cell car, where do you fill it?

General Motors working on new hydrogen stations

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - General Motors Corp said on Wednesday it was partnering with Clean Energy Fuels Corp on a new hydrogen refueling station in...(complete article here).

Windpower Electrical Infrastructure for Texas

Texas leads the nation in windpower generation. The problem is that the wind is in West Texas and the population centers are in East Texas. It will take massive investment in infrastructure in order to effeciently and effectively move that power from its source to the point of need. Texas is developing the model that will help pave the way for other states to follow.

Texas mulls power lines needed for more wind farms

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Wind-power supporters called on Texas regulators at a hearing on Wednesday to "aim high" and approve plans for nearly 25,000 megawatts of wind generation while others urged caution before companies invest billions to build new transmission.

Members of the Texas Public Utility Commission are struggling to decide how much new transmission should be built to...(complete article here).

More U.S. Aid to Africa

Infrastructure is critical to getting crops from the fields to markets.

Boost for Africa green revolution

A US government aid agency has formed an alliance with a group headed by former UN chief Kofi Annan to try to boost African agriculture.

Mr Annan has called for a "green revolution" to solve the food crisis.

The new partnership aims to invest in Africa's inadequate infrastructure, as well as...(complete article here).

Booming Texas Economy: What to do With the Surplus

Some good economic news is always welcome. My first reaction is "Yeehaw, I can't wait to get my rebate check!" Upon further reflection however, I think this money should be invested in infrastructure. We need to expand the power grid to get the wind-generated electricity from West Texas to the population centers like DFW, Houston and San Antonio. We also would benefit from a pipeline to move ethanol from plants in the Panhandle to the blenders in Corpus Christi and Houston. We could definitely use additional water resource development and the highways seem to always need upgrading (preferably not as tollways). Let's keep the Texas economy booming by investing the anticipated surplus in the infrastructure necessary to handle the growth.

May 7, 2008, 12:20AM

Oil prices help Texas rake in $10.7 billion surplus

Sales tax revenue also aids projected overflow Perry hopes to share with you

By CLAY ROBISON
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — The nation may be on the verge of a recession, but the Texas economy is doing well enough for Comptroller Susan Combs to predict Tuesday that the Legislature will have a $10.7 billion surplus when it convenes in January.

Much of the extra money can be attributed to...(complete article here).

Wind Power and the Texas Grid

Infrastructure again. The new energy economy requires its own infrastructure -- whether we're talking wind, ethanol, biodiesel or solar -- it requires infrastructure investment.

Wind power experts say Texas grid needs work

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Problems integrating a rising amount of wind-generated electricity into the Texas wholesale power market may slow short-term development, but won't deter long-term prospects for local wind generators, industry sources said on Thursday.

Strong spring wind production in West Texas has been...(complete article here).

The Cost of Infrastructure in the New Energy Economy

It takes infrastructure to make it all work. Otherwise the wind generators are just throwing money to the wind.

Texas sees higher costs to reap wind power

HOUSTON (Reuters) - The price tag to build new power lines to bring plentiful wind power to Texas' biggest cities could range from $3 billion to $9 billion, the state's electric grid operator said in a report filed with regulators on Wednesday.

Following legislation passed in 2005, the Texas Public Utility Commission began working to speed up construction of high-voltage transmission lines to tap into abundant supplies of renewable power.

Texas leads the nation by...(complete article here).

Ethanol Infrastructure

The infrastructure to handle Ethanol is a key piece to the energy puzzle.

Dallas Fort Worth Terminal Begins Ethanol Operations

OAKHURST, N.J. (DTN) –- Dallas Forth Worth Rail Terminal, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Texas-based U.S. Development Group, LLC, has begun ethanol distribution operations at its new Dallas Fort Worth Rail Terminal, according to a news release.

"Our new terminal will handle and distribute a...(complete article here).

Complexity of Managing the Grid

This article discusses the complexity of providing adequate electrical power.

Wind power woes not sole issue in near blackouts

By TOM FOWLER
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Texas' near miss with rolling blackouts Tuesday night may appear at first blush to be a sign of the failings of wind power — more than 80 percent of the state's wind turbine energy went offline when a North Texas cold front stilled the air.

But the state's grid operators say a...(complete article here).