Background

Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing energy industries in the US and world today. An abundant energy source with no emissions, it offers enormous benefits, yet poses some unique challenges for electric utilities. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), and the Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG) have joined forces to cosponsor a timely symposium on the current status of wind power for utilities. Drawing on the collective strengths of the four organizations, an outstanding group of speakers will address the issues and opportunities facing this growing industry today, and share insights on its future. This is an exceptional opportunity for non-technical professionals working on legislative, regulatory, and policy issues associated with wind power and sustainable energy policy to get an objective, up-to-date picture of the status and prospects for wind power in the US, as well as a perspective on the European experience to date. This symposium is being held in Washington, DC, to enable energy policy professionals in the nation's capital to participate in a timely, stimulating discussion of where we are and where we're going with wind energy.

Objectives

• Seek to inform a broad cross-section of policy makers, including regulators, legislators, government officials, economists and attorneys, of the current status and prospects for wind power.
• Provide a balanced and objective view of the technical, economic, reliability, operational, resource availability and environmental and siting issues associated with wind power in terms easily understood by non-technical people.
• Provide insights from a public policy perspective of what policies have contributed to both successful and unsuccessful experiences with wind power, both domestically and internationally.
• Provide an opportunity for public officials involved in making policy to develop an improved understanding of wind power and get objective answers to questions regarding the associated issues.

Symposium Committees

Steering Committee

• Randall Swisher, AWEA

• Henry Durrwachter, TXU, UWIG

• Hans B. P