Wind on the Wires launched in 2001 to create a “road to market” for wind energy.  We concentrate on the technical aspects of connecting wind farms to the transmission grid and delivering wind energy to cities and towns.  We do this by focusing on transmission planning, creating equitable rules that govern the use of the electric grid, and educating the people who operate the electric system about the characteristics of wind energy. 

This support was needed to complement the great strides being made by Midwest clean energy advocates in requiring electric utility companies to provide more energy to customers generated from renewable resources, like wind.

Initially, Wind on the Wires worked with utility engineers, transmission planners at MISO, and key decision makers at state public utilities commissions and legislatures on technical transmission planning.  We also worked to lay the public policy foundation on which to build a robust renewable energy future in the Midwest. 

Our early successes included:

• A MISO transmission plan in 2003 for 10,000 megawatts of wind energy,
• A new 92-mile, 345 kilovolt transmission line from the best wind resources in Southwest Minnesota to customers in Minneapolis/St. Paul, as well as
• Renewable Energy Standards in various states in the Midwest.

Our work continues.  Through the effective partnerships we develop and maintain with our members who are comprised of a variety of regional and national NGOs and for-profit companies, we work together in powerful collaboration to move clean energy goals forward in the Midwest.  Wind on the Wires also plays an important role in educating individuals and groups about the important role transmission plays in facilitating access to affordable, clean energy

Looking ahead, Wind on the Wires will keep focused on our core competencies of technical/transmission work, regulatory involvement at the state and federal (FERC) levels, and policy education/outreach at the state and regional levels.  We will also continue to serve as a technical resource and grow strategic partnerships with NGOs to advance our collective clean energy goals.