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The impact of Production Tax Credits on the profitable production of electricity from wind in the U.S

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  • Lu, Xi
  • Tchou, Jeremy
  • McElroy, Michael B.
  • Nielsen, Chris P.

Abstract

A spatial financial model using wind data derived from assimilated meteorological condition was developed to investigate the profitability and competitiveness of onshore wind power in the contiguous U.S. It considers not only the resulting estimated capacity factors for hypothetical wind farms but also the geographically differentiated costs of local grid connection. The levelized cost of wind-generated electricity for the contiguous U.S. is evaluated assuming subsidy levels from the Production Tax Credit (PTC) varying from 0 to 4 ¢/kWh under three cost scenarios: a reference case, a high cost case, and a low cost case. The analysis indicates that in the reference scenario, current PTC subsidies of 2.1 ¢/kWh are at a critical level in determining the competitiveness of wind-generated electricity compared to conventional power generation in local power market. Results from this study suggest that the potential for profitable wind power with the current PTC subsidy amounts to more than seven times existing demand for electricity in the entire U.S. Understanding the challenges involved in scaling up wind energy requires further study of the external costs associated with improvement of the backbone transmission network and integration into the power grid of the variable electricity generated from wind.

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  • Lu, Xi & Tchou, Jeremy & McElroy, Michael B. & Nielsen, Chris P., 2011. "The impact of Production Tax Credits on the profitable production of electricity from wind in the U.S," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(7), pages 4207-4214, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:39:y:2011:i:7:p:4207-4214
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    15. Gillenwater, Michael, 2013. "Probabilistic decision model of wind power investment and influence of green power market," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1111-1125.
    16. Jason Brown & John Pender & Jeremy G. Weber, 2013. "Rural wealth creation and emerging energy industries: lease and royalty payments to farm households and businesses," Research Working Paper RWP 13-07, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
    17. Kumar, Indraneel & Tyner, Wallace E. & Labi, Samuel & Sinha, Kumares C., 2021. "“The Answer My Friend is Blowin’ in the Wind”: A stochastic assessment of wind farms financial feasibility and economic efficiency," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    18. Fell, Harrison & Linn, Joshua & Munnings, Clayton, 2012. "Designing Renewable Electricity Policies to Reduce Emissions," RFF Working Paper Series dp-12-54, Resources for the Future.
    19. Gacitua, L. & Gallegos, P. & Henriquez-Auba, R. & Lorca, Á. & Negrete-Pincetic, M. & Olivares, D. & Valenzuela, A. & Wenzel, G., 2018. "A comprehensive review on expansion planning: Models and tools for energy policy analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 346-360.
    20. John L. Pender & Jeremy G. Weber & Jason P. Brown, 2014. "Sustainable Rural Development and Wealth Creation," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 28(1), pages 73-86, February.
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