Integrating Southwest Power Pool Wind to Southeast Electricity ...

Figure 5-20: Capacity Factors for SPP by unit type
There is little significant change in capacity factors across scenarios for the other SERC regions
across the scenarios. The eastern SERC regions (mainly VACAR) do not change noticeably,
while CCs and to a lesser extent coal change in the western regions, as shown earlier. Another
note of significance for those regions is the fact they both have significant GT capacity factors,
indicating that they use these units more than the main study regions.
Figure 5-21shows capacity factors across the entire footprint. Again, this is similar to generation
described earlier. It can be seen that much of the differences again lies in CC usage. There is a
significant decrease in CC usage in Scenarios 3 and 4 in particular, indicating that they may not
all be present in a future plant mix with this much wind. This would be crucial as these units are
shown to provide much of the reserve requirements. Alternatively, if it is shown that they are
needed to provide reserve, then they may be built, or not retired. This would impact capital cost
recovery, not studied here. Looking at the average CC capacity factor, 20% still seems relatively
high, though lower than it would be with low wind.
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