Wind Projects Cause Instability in Vermont Grid
The CEO of Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) has indicated that the coop will oppose any new large wind projects in northern Vermont because existing wind projects have introduced instability in the grid, prompting grid operator ISO-New England to order existing wind projects in Vermont and New Hampshire to curtail electricity output. As a result, wind farm turbines are not being allowed to operate at capacity. VEC and its partner Green Mountain Power, which own the Lowell wind project called Kingdom Community Wind, have lost approximately $1 million in electricity sales because of curtailment this winter. VEC is advocating a three-year moratorium to study these problems to find out how to introduce renewable green electricity into the existing grid. The Caledonian-Record has the full story (subscription required).
