Digital Commons @ DU

Title

Costs and Consequences of Wake Effects Arising from Uncoordinated Wind Energy Development

Authors

J.K. Lundquist
K.K. DuVivier, University of DenverFollow
D. Kaffine
J.M. Tomaszewski

Publication Date

11-26-2018

Document Type

Article

Organizational Units

Sturm College of Law

Keywords

Wind energy, Wake effects

Abstract

Optimal wind farm locations require a strong and reliable wind resource and access to transmission lines. As onshore and offshore wind energy grows, preferred locations become saturated with numerous wind farms. An upwind wind farm generates ‘wake effects’ (decreases in downwind wind speeds) that undermine a downwind wind farm’s power generation and revenues. Here we use a diverse set of analysis tools from the atmospheric science, economic and legal communities to assess costs and consequences of these wake effects, focusing on a West Texas case study. We show that although wake effects vary with atmospheric conditions, they are discernible in monthly power production. In stably stratified atmospheric conditions, wakes can extend 50+ km downwind, resulting in economic losses of several million dollars over six years for our case study. However, our investigation of the legal literature shows no legal guidance for protecting existing wind farms from such significant impacts.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the authors. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Published article available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-018-0281-2

Recommended Citation

Costs and Consequences of Wake Effects Erising from Uncoordinated Wind Energy Development, J. K. Lundquist, K. K. DuVivier, D. Kaffine, J. M. Tomaszewski, 4 NATURE ENERGY 26 (2018).