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Guest column: Electric transmission critical to Iowa’s wind energy success
by Doug Collins, ITC Midwest Executive Dire · Op-Ed · November 05, 2008
Congratulations to the West Branch Times for focusing on an important energy issue – the connection between a strong electric grid and renewable energy.
In its October 15 editorial, the Times correctly asserted that the U.S. can’t fully develop its wind energy potential without a robust electric power line network.
Cedar Rapids-based ITC Midwest, the company that bought the electric transmission system from Alliant Energy’s Interstate Power and Light Co. (IPL) last year, is working to address this need so Iowa can achieve its wind energy vision.
Iowa’s growing wind energy industry
In the past few years, Iowa has become a leader in renewable energy.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, Iowa generates 5.5 percent of its electricity from wind power sources, the highest state percentage generated by wind in the nation. Iowa has the third most installed wind capacity, behind only Texas and California. Iowa’s numbers will continue to grow, as wind developers add to the more than 1,000 turbines already operating in the state.
West Branch benefits from wind energy development, too. As host to a major wind equipment manufacturer, the community has a clear interest in wind energy. Acciona is a significant player in that industry. Continued commitment to wind energy bodes well for West Branch and our state overall.
Connecting supply to demand
But the Times correctly identified a critical gap in our country’s renewable energy vision.
Wind farms are most feasible in open areas where the wind blows consistently. However, those areas are generally far from the urban areas where electricity demand is greatest. If we want to harvest our full wind potential, we will need power lines to move that wind-generated electricity to the customers who need it.
Since it acquired IPL’s high-voltage power lines, ITC Midwest has helped bring hundreds of megawatts of wind generation on-line. This year alone, we expect to connect almost as much new wind generation to the grid as existed in our entire state just three years ago.
Just as Iowa has taken advantage of its soil and climate to grow crops that feed the world, the state is now ready to harness its wind for the nation’s benefit. But our wind “road-to-market” is becoming clogged. We won’t be able to keep growing our wind resource unless we invest in the energy superhighway that can deliver that product to customers.
Delivering additional benefits
Beyond supporting wind energy, investing in a reliable electric grid produces other benefits.
Electric transmission investments improve access to more generating sources, potentially encouraging cost competition. Access to sufficient energy is also critical to economic development. But improved electric system reliability is perhaps the most significant benefit.
ITC Midwest will build and upgrade hundreds of miles of lines and substations in the next few years to meet the growing energy demand and improve the system’s reliability. West Branch benefits directly from this effort, too. ITC Midwest is currently building its new Rose Hollow substation west of town. That facility will serve as a hub for further system reliability and capacity improvements in the area in the coming years.
Energy an important, if hidden, issue
Many issues are pressing for our nation’s attention right now. With Iowa’s history of reliable and affordable energy, adequate transmission lines probably aren’t at the top of electric customers’ list of priorities.
But we need to work now if we want to continue to enjoy reliable and renewable energy resources in the future. ITC Midwest is working on the issue. And the Times has done a public service by keeping that issue at the forefront.
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