Researchers Show U.S. Grid Can Handle More Offshore Wind Power

Feb. 21, 2017

Researchers from the University of Delaware and Princeton University completed a first-of-its-kind simulation with the electric power industry. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the study reveals that with upgrades to transmission lines, the PJM Interconnection grid, which powers 14 states, can handle more than 35 gigawatts of offshore wind—enough to power an estimated 10 million homes. They also found that as wind forecasting improves, the PJM grid could handle up to 70 gigawatts. The study is published in the journal Renewable Energy.