Wind and solar power could replace coal in Texas

A Rice University study on the rapidly-growing role of wind and solar power in Texas has attracted widespread attention. John B. Billingsley Jr., founder and CEO of Tri Global Energy LLC, said the new study underscored the critical importance of renewable energy in Texas. Specifically, wind and solar power.

Joanna H. Slusarewicz and Daniel S. Cohan, from Rice University, wrote about their study and findings in the journal Renewables: Wind, Water, and Solar (citation below).

Wind and solar power

Solar power involves capturing the Sun’s energy and converting it into electricity that we can use.

Wind power involves capturing energy from moving air (wind) and also converting it into electricity we can use.

We have been using wind power for thousands of years. We can also use the terms solar energy and wind energy.

Texas 2017 – wind and solar power

The study authors pointed out that wind and solar power provided approximately 18% of Texas’ electrical power in 2017.

However, with thoughtful planning, the two renewable energy sources could ‘punch above their weight’ as coal-fired power plants close down.

Texas, in fact, because of its climate and sheer size, could easily replace coal power with wind and solar power. Electricity could come from solar power across the state plus West Texas and Gulf Coast wind.

Tri Global Energy

Tri Global Energy has been developing wind projects in West Texas for over ten years. It has become the state’s top developer of wind farms. Texas also leads the country in wind power production.

Sunfinity Renewable Energy

Nearly three years ago, Mr. Billingsley also launched Sunfinity Renewable Energy. The company is developing commercial, residential, and utility-scale solar power in Texas and several other US states.

Mr. Billingsley said:

“The rise of clean energy appears to be everywhere across Texas. The state is speeding ahead to develop renewable energy and reaching new milestones all the time. But we’ve only begun to scratch the surface in terms of truly harnessing our clean, renewable resources.”

“Texans will be the real winners, realizing both the environmental and economic benefits of renewables. The next several years will see amazing strides forward.”

Citation

“Assessing solar and wind complementarity in Texas,” Joanna H. Slusarewicz and Daniel S. Cohan. Renewables: Wind, Water, and Solar 2018 – 5:7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40807-018-0054-3.