Analyses of Wind Energy Impact on WFEC System Operations

Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) is a generation and transmission Cooperative in Oklahoma. At the end of 2003 it added 74 megawatts (MW) of wind energy to its energy portfolio by purchasing the output of the Blue Canyon Wind Power Project located north of Lawton, Oklahoma. The wind energy has the potential to provide about 6% of WFEC's peak summer energy demand. During periods of high winds and low loads, wind energy may represent 14% of the control area load. Conversely during periods of calm wind, wind energy cannot be counted upon to provide any energy to WFEC's system. This report analyzes system and wind energy data recorded by the WFEC control area energy management system (EMS) and evaluates the effects of wind energy on system operations.