The SunZia Wind Farm: How To Do Greentech Well || Peter Zeihan

The largest Greentech power generation system in the hemisphere is under construction in New Mexico. SunZia has raised $11 billion for this project and aims to generate 3.5 gigawatts of wind power for the NM, AZ, and CA energy markets.

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[marc.sellgren]

A few important things to note. 3.5 GW is nameplate capacity. Let's say they manage 40% cf (which is really good for onshore wind), the average output will be around 1.4 GW.

Transmission lines are neither cheap nor quick to establish. There's a huge benefit of producing electricity where the demand is, you use less materials and waste less power in transmission. In Sweden we have about 2.5% transmission loss, mostly by transporting electricity from the north to the south.

Regarding baseload, even though the output from these 1000 feet turbines is more reliable, they still are asynchronous generators, meaning they are not in sync with the grid and can't be used to provide grid stability services (which is an inherent capability in syncronous generators used by nuclear power plants for example). Meaning, grid stability services must be bought on the side to keep the grid alive.

[LukeFitch]

Was working for Pattern/SunZia on their first project here in 2020-21 doing video documentation. Awesome company and it's great to see this even larger project approved. Hilarious how many NM residents think it's being paid for by government money and will operate at a net loss... I was told the the towers and the installation pay for themselves in about 3 years, and then operate for another 20 or so generating profit. We spoke to dozens of local landowners who lease the land for towers, and they are making serious bank off of land that is so rough it is difficult even to raise cattle on. Traditionally, sheep herding was the only viable way to make a living in that area.

[WilliamF-ow]

The 3.5 GW mentioned is the maximum capacity. The average wind capacity efficiency in the US is 35% so on a 24/7/365 basis this wind farm will make a little more than 1.2 GW.

[kmprssr]

I noticed you upped your audio quality a lot! A nice suprise to us daily listeners

[martinfitzsimons]

I used to do insurance for Ireland’s biggest green tech producer. My concern with much larger nacelle units for wind power is their maintenance and more importantly when things go wrong. As you say nobody usually lives where these farms are built and as you say those areas lack infrastructure. We had to deal with nacelle units being damaged in transit on roads too poor to adequately sustain the weight of the trucks carrying the units, trucks falling off makeshift roads writing off the nacelle units and many other problems after life service of the unit ends deconstructing them and disposal of the units as the materials mostly cannot be recycled.

[JamesFlaherty-hw]

I think your take on the future of North America is very positive and encouraging...

[jolness]

As someone who lives in eastern Montana, it’s definitely windy lol. The Judith Gap wind farm has been a boon for the local gov and generates a good chunk of power. Hopefully we see an expansion. I’m all for green energy where it makes sense. Just need more transmission lines

[GhostPrefix]

Keep the information flowing Peter and team. Love hearing your updates, observations and analysis.

[highnfire]

I love how he breaks down the nuances of these subjects. Yes, wind power is great…. In areas where there is enough wind! It’s not all solar or all wind or all nuclear…. Different regions require different technologies.

[dennisenright]

At 3.5 gigawatts, its capacity will be about 3 times that of the Site C dam being built on the Peace River 1500 miles to the north. It will be very interesting to see the amount of electricity each produces annually, and what the price that consumers actually see on their utility bill

[Leftatalbuquerque]

In my part of Ontario, there has been little wind for weeks, and it has essentially been raining, save a week or two in October, since June (now it's snow). My neighbour with solar panels runs his diesel generator every day. His house and property are away from the main hydroelectric trunk line that runs along the highway, and would cost over $110, 000 to run hydro poles and line. Thanks, Hydro One (used to be Ontario Hydro).

[jasonmontoya]

I live in New Mexico and so glad to hear this!

[jamesbryan]

Really appreciate your interesting insights on a huge variety of topics.

[alberthartl]

The TransWest Express HVDC transmission line from Wyoming is a similar project now under construction.

[howtoappearincompletely]

That *is* good news. And well done for focusing on transmission, which doesn't tend to be regarded with the importance it deserves.

[stevencole]

My area just brought on line the largest solar/ battery system in the western hemisphere . What's interesting it was installed on Edwards Air Force Base in California .

[JimPfarr]

You may get criticized for not giving "happy/glad" updates, but those whiners probably can't handle the truth on a day to day basis. I, for one, prefer reality and fact based pro vs con information, and if that turns out to have a happy circumstance then so be it. Life is complicated and you do a great job of helping to clarify, so please keep up the good work.

[DavidL-iiyn]

...looking at Ontario's grid figures right now... wind peaked at 1.5GW early this morning during a blizzard but is now fallen to 200MW. Nuclear is at 9.6GW baseload with consistent generation day after day. It's hard to get excited about wind.

[MajinLiveTV]

For the sake of New Mexico residents I hope the project gets built quickly and efficiently and that its not mired in waste and corruption. Here in the south east we are still footing the bill for the "nukegate" scandal. Construction gets delayed by months then years and corporations used the delay to turn the whole thing into a giant cash cow and let it snowball until it got shut down by the Fed. Execs went to jail (in my opinion not nearly enough) and we the people are still dealing with the highest electric bills in the country.

[carlschmitt]

Nice positive encouraging news! Good stuff Peter!