Wind, hydro operations create balancing act for regulators

By Becky Kramer
Spokesman Review

One of the conundrums of wind energy is that the wind doesn’t blow constantly. In the Northwest, most wind farms operate at about 30 percent capacity, which means backup electrical generation is needed.

The Northwest’s extensive network of hydropower dams helps balance fluctuations in wind output, said Tom Karier, Washington representative on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Dam operators can adjust hydro output in response to shifting wind production. Read More