CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/841219
NEWS Long-term North American wind outlook 21 CompositesWorld.com Wind Energy Outlook 2017-2026 ENERGY Wind energy industry consultancy MAKE (Chicago, IL, US) has issued its 2017 North America Wind Power Outlook, and in it, says the US will install approximately 59 GW of wind capacity from 2017-2026. Much of this will be driven in the initial four-year period, through 2020, by the still full-value production tax credit (PTC), which is expected to help account for 40 GW of the total. MAKE expects that asset owners also will embark on the most exten- sive repowering campaign, thus far, in the US: Nearly 1 GW of existing turbine nacelle and blade units will be replaced with new components, while smaller components will be replaced in another 6 GW of existing turbines with the aim of extending operational lifespans and requalifying for the PTC. The PTC, starting this year, begins a phase out: Wind projects begun in 2017 get an 80% PTC credit; projects begun in 2018 get a 60% PTC credit; and projects begun in 2019 get a 40% PTC credit. Because of this, projects could be excessively concentrated in 2020, which could strain resources. Beginning in 2022, wind power effec- tively will be left to compete solely on a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) basis. MAKE says that competition amid sustained low natural gas prices and the rapidly falling cost of solar power will reduce new wind installa- tions to the fraction of US states that then have favorable land availability, wind resources and transmission capacity. MAKE predicts that states in the central US "wind belt" will be particularly well-positioned to compete on LCOE, but to do so, will require major transmission build-out to access distant demand centers. All wind projects will become more vulnerable in this coming low-margin environment: Previously surmount- able hurdles, such as state-level policy changes and permitting difficulties, will run a far greater risk of becoming project-killing obstacles. Offshore wind power, however, will be the exception to the economics- driven installations of the post-PTC period, says MAKE. Supported by robust state-level policies in the Northeast region, the first full-scale Working with Composites One gives you access to the broadest, deepest line of cast polymer and solid surface PRODUCTS available from the industry's top suppliers. Helping you navigate this one-stop-shop and making sure you get what you need, when you need it, are technical sales experts and regional customer service reps, along with local support teams at more than 35 distribution centers across the U.S. and Canada. All are backed by the service and support that only North America's leading composites distributor can provide. That's the power of One – Composites One. 800.621.8003 | www.compositesone.com | www.b2bcomposites.com People | Product | Process | Performance Visit us at Booth K32 to see LIVE advanced process demos during CAMX 2017 in Orlando, FL, September 11-14. "With the broadest and deepest product line, along with the largest dedicated fleet of trucks in the composites industry, Composites One's priority is to make sure you have what you need, when you need it." Laura McClain, Distribution Center Manager, Lenexa, KS offshore projects will reach commercial operational level in 2021, and at least one new offshore wind farm develop- ment will be installed annually through 2026. Ultimately, according to MAKE, some 2.2 GW of offshore wind will enter commercial operation in US territorial waters within the forecast period.