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Index: Environment / Subcategory: Use of Resources

Wind Energy Consumption

Date Updated: 06/06/2011

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Wind energy's most important environmental benefit is its lack of pollutants and greenhouse gas air emissions. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), other methods of electricity generation (coal, oil, and natural gas) produced 2.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide, 6.0 million tons of sulfur dioxide, and 2.4 million tons of nitrogen oxides in 2009 (see links for more information on these gases). In contrast, wind energy generation produces 0 pounds of pollutants and greenhouse gases and is a renewable resource.

Wind energy is generated through wind farms, which are systems of turbines powered by natural air movements. Area wind farms include Xcel Energy's Ponnequin Wind Farm and Peetz Wind Farm and Platte River Power Authority's Medicine Bow Wind Project. In the fall of 2009 the Silver Sage Wind Site, owned and operated by Duke Energy, was put into operation. Platte River Power Authority contracts to purchase 12 MW of wind energy from the Silver Sage Wind Site.

When wind energy is generated, it becomes part of the total power grid. As such, energy suppliers cannot ensure that all the electricity used by wind energy customers is wind-generated. However, utility companies are required to match the electricity use of wind energy customers by producing a corresponding amount of wind-generated electricity.

Utility suppliers of wind energy in Larimer County include:

Electricity is usually measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh represents the amount of energy needed by a 1000-Watt device (e.g. clothes-iron, microwave oven) to operate for one hour. Leaving a 100-Watt lightbulb on for 10 hours consumes 1 kWh of energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy [pdf], the average American household uses about 11,000 kWh per year. The DOE has a list of many common household appliances and their corresponding typical wattage use.

What this chart shows: Wind Energy Generated at the Medicine Bow Wind Project Site, 2001-2010

Data Source: Platte River Power Authority (data not available online)

See data table

What these data tell us:

In 1999 there were only 2 wind turbines at Medicine Bow, but by 2002 that number increased to 10. By the end of 2002, the project was producing more than 19 million kWh. This increase is equivalent to the yearly electricity needs of approximately 1,700 average U.S. households, based on the average consumption of 11,000 kWh per year.

From 2001 through 2002, power generated at Medicine Bow increased by about 2.8 million kWh (17%). This increase was mainly due to differences in average annual wind speeds. In 2001, the average annual wind speed at Medicine Bow was 19.0 miles per hour; in 2002, the average annual wind speed was 20.9 miles per hour, almost 11% faster. Stronger and more frequent winds result in more energy generation. Future variations in power generation will likely be due to similar fluctuations in average wind speed.

In 2005 Platte River Power Authority leased land to Clipper Windpower for a 2.5 MW prototype turbine, the Liberty I, and all power produced by the Liberty I is purchased by Platte River Power Authority. Because the Liberty I was a prototype, there were many maintenance and performance issues that reduced the amount of power produced in 2007. Those issues have since been resolved and the Liberty I has been producing at greater levels.

What this chart shows: Renewable Energy Purchased in Fort Collins, 2001-2010

Data Source: Platte River Power Authority (data not available online)

See data table

What these data tell us:

 From 2001 to 2010, wind energy consumption in Fort Collins increased by about 86.6 million kWh, or 924%. This increase is equivalent to the yearly electricity usage of approximately 7,875 average U.S. households. The increase is due to additional wind turbines at the Medicine Bow Wind Project, an increase in the number of commercial and residential customers purchasing wind energy, and an energy policy [pdf] adopted by the City of Fort Collins in 2003.

What this chart shows: Renewable Energy Purchased in Loveland, 2001-2010

Data Source: Platte River Power Authority (data not available online)

See data table

What these data tell us:

From 2001 to 2010, wind energy consumption in Loveland increased by about 5.1 million kWh, or 814%. This increase represents the yearly electricity usage of approximately 466 average United States households. The largest increase in renewable energy took place between 2005 and 2008 and was due, according to City of Loveland Water & Power Department staff, to a dedicated full-time conservation marketing employee.

The City of Loveland's GreenSwitch program is 100% voluntary and costs an additional $2.20 per 100 kWh block. The average American household consumes 11,000 kWh per year.

Additional Information:

Related Information on COMPASS -

Other Resources -

Data Tables:

Wind Energy Generated at the Medicine Bow Wind Project Site

Year

Kilowatt-hours (kWh) Generated

2001

16,267,307

2002

19,106,967

2003

16,722,598

2004

17,031,603

2005

17,077,923

2006

21,685,658

2007

16,936,934

2008

25,363,503

2009

23,594,847

2010

21,194,558

See chart

Wind Energy Purchased in Fort Collins

Year

Kilowatt-hours (kWh) Purchased

2001

9,372,945

2002

10,741,639

2003

12,878,000

2004

31,400,000

2005

31,499,404

2006

45,599,817

2007

93,000,000

2008

93,000,000

2009

95,000,000

2010

96,000,000

See chart

Wind Energy Purchased in Loveland

Year

Kilowatt-hours (kWh) Purchased

2001

629,800

2002

773,200

2003

903,531

2004

933,900

2005

1,018,812

2006

1,772,916

2007

4,700,000

2008

6,000,000

2009

5,916,000

2010

5,757,000

See chart