The Oil Drum: Local

NYSERDA and NYISO have studied the question of the degree to which NYS could rely on wind power. NYSERDA reported that world experience indicates that 10% of peak load could be wind power without adverserly affecting system reliabilty (although Denmark apparently manages to get 62% from wind). That means 3300MW of wind vs. NYS peak load of 33,000MW. Wind power above 10% peak load would require changes to the grid and the number and way fossil-fueled generators are dispatched.

As far as I know, NYSERDA didn't determine the absolute maximum wind component to maintain system reliability. It might be 15%, 20% or higher. However, they identified the maximum available wind capacity in NYS at 10,000MW (about 30% of current peak demand). Of the 10,000MW, less than 800MW is available south of Albany (154MW north of NYC and 600MW off the coast of LI).